MAYO (Ireland)

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The County Mayo coastline, from Kilary Harbour to Kilala Bay, has a wonderful succession of views-of sandy beaches, cliffs, rugged headlands and islands. Prominent features are the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick and Achill, the largest island off the Irish Coast.

Inland, too the landscape is remarkably varied, with mountains rising from level plain or moorland or forming colourful backgrounds to islet-studded lakes. Mayo's attractions include unspoilt holiday resorts, angling, sailing, climbing and golf.

County Mayo got its name from the diocese of that name which evolved from a 7th century monastery established by Saint Colmán and some English monks on 'the plain of yews', about 3km. south of Balla. Mayo became a diocese in the 12th century, but it was amalgamated with Tuam about 500 years later
When the county was established around 1570, it was called 'Mayo'after the famous monastery and diocese. The Irish name for Mayo is Maigh Eo , which means 'plain of yew-trees'.

The Marian Shrine - Knock.
The Lady's Shrine Knock, is one of the great Marian shrines of the world, attracting over 1,500,000 visitors annually. It is an oasis of peace, tranquility and deep spirituality where many who come to see, remain to pray and find reconciliation. Knock is the scene of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John on 21 August 1879, witnessed by fifteen local people.

Michael Davitt Museum - Foxford.
The Michael Davitt Museum and the adjoining community centre were opened at Straide on 23 April 1984 to honour its native son, 'the father of the Land League' and one of Ireland's greatest patriots. Michael Davitt (1846-1906) was the founder, chief organiser and inspiring genius of the Land League, the biggest mass movement in modern Irish history, which transformed tenant-farmers into owner-occupiers by constitutional means.

Kiltimagh Museum
In the 1980s the Historical Society acquired the old Goods Store of Kiltimagh Railway Station and turned it into a Museum. Two old Railway Carriages were acquired to commemorate the thousands of our people who had had to emigrate, and these were incorporated into the Museum. Now the Museum houses many artifacts from our past, such as the Land League Banner, buried for safety in a bog for forty years, the instruments of the 19th century town band, items from Kiltimagh Lace School, Railway artifacts and many other items reflecting different aspects of our past.

Doon - Archaeological Nature Peninsula
A designated Area of Scienific Interest, Accredited a National Heritage Area.
Doon Promontory Fort, on Lough Carra, with sites from Late Bronze Age, enclosed in a spectacular landscape of mountain, lake and woodland, is one of the largest identified site of its type in Ireland.