County Mayo - CURIOUS IRELAND

Mayo in Irish translates to mean ‘Plain of the Yew Tree’. It is the 3rd largest county in Ireland and is surrounded on the north and west by the wild Atlantic. Mayo has Ireland’s highest vertical cliffs that drop 270m (Kilcommon Erris), its largest island (Achill) and the oldest field system in the World (Ceide Fields). Its highest peak, Mweelrea stands at 814m.

Beleek Castle, Ballina. County Mayo 1831

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Mayo's finest boutique hotel Belleek Castle was built in 1831 on the site of an earlier 14th-century tower house. It was commissioned by Sir Arthur Francis Knox-Gore who lived here with his wife [...]

Beleek Castle, Ballina. County Mayo 1831emmet2023-05-08T21:15:28+00:00

Dolmen of the Four Maols, Ballina. County Mayo 2000BC

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Ballina's Bronze-Age beauty The Ballina Dolmen is located just outside the town of Ballina on Primrose Hill overlooking the Moy River. These are not the remains of a portal tomb but rather a [...]

Dolmen of the Four Maols, Ballina. County Mayo 2000BCemmet2023-05-08T21:16:31+00:00

Ballylahan Castle, Straide, County Mayo 1239

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You are now entering Mac Jordan Country Ballylahan Castle was constructed in 1239 on the south bank of the River Moy by Jordan de Exeter. The Exeters came to Ireland during the first Norman [...]

Ballylahan Castle, Straide, County Mayo 1239emmet2023-05-08T21:17:31+00:00

Clew Bay Archeology Trail, Clew Bay. County Mayo

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Hike like the ancients The Clew Bay Archaeological Trail is a spectacular heritage trail around the base of Croagh Patrick. It has been divided into 4 stages that cover 6000 years of human [...]

Clew Bay Archeology Trail, Clew Bay. County Mayo emmet2023-05-08T21:18:58+00:00

The Doolagh Valley Famine Memorial, Clashcame. County Mayo

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A famine memorial to 400 souls The 25km Doolagh Pass is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Ireland and the scene of one of its great tragedies. In 1849 during the Great [...]

The Doolagh Valley Famine Memorial, Clashcame. County Mayo emmet2023-05-08T21:20:05+00:00

Murrisk Abbey, Murrisk. County Mayo 1456

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The traditional starting point for climbing Croagh Patrick Murrisk Abbey is located on the shoreline of Clew bay at the foot of Croagh Patrick. This is the ancient starting point for pilgrims to [...]

Murrisk Abbey, Murrisk. County Mayo 1456 emmet2023-05-08T21:21:16+00:00

The National Famine Memorial, Murrisk. County Mayo 1997

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Striking memorial to the victims of the famine The National Famine Memorial sits at the foot of Croagh Patrick with commanding views over the Atlantic Ocean. This striking sculpture was crafted by John [...]

The National Famine Memorial, Murrisk. County Mayo 1997emmet2023-05-08T21:22:03+00:00

Burrishoole Friary, Newport. County Mayo 1468

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A stunning abbey with a dark past Burishoole Friary is situated in a beautiful inlet on Clew Bay. It was founded in 1469 by Sir Richard de Burgo of Turlough for the Dominican [...]

Burrishoole Friary, Newport. County Mayo 1468 emmet2023-05-09T05:38:27+00:00

The Ceide Fields, Ballycastle. County Mayo c.3000BC

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The oldest field system in the World In the 1930s, a local schoolmaster, Patrick Caulfield from Belderrig, noticed piles of symmetrical stones when he was cutting turf in the 1930s. It dawned on [...]

The Ceide Fields, Ballycastle. County Mayo c.3000BCemmet2023-06-24T15:56:39+00:00

Cong Abbey, Cong. County Mayo 1135

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Historic abbey containing some of Ireland's finest masonry Cong Abbey was founded in 1135 by King Turlough O'Connor. It has been attacked and rebuilt on numerous occasions and over the years served as [...]

Cong Abbey, Cong. County Mayo 1135 emmet2023-05-09T05:41:26+00:00

The Monk’s Fishing House, Cong. County Mayo c.16th century

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Cong fishing... The Monk's Fishing House was built sometime in the 16th century on the lands owned by Cong Abbey. The little house has a trap door for a net and a small [...]

The Monk’s Fishing House, Cong. County Mayo c.16th centuryemmet2023-05-09T05:42:51+00:00

Srahwee Wedge Tomb, Cregganbaun. County Mayo c.2000BC

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One of Ireland's finest wedge tomb's A wedge tomb is one of the 4 main types of Neolithic tombs found in Ireland and is so-called because of its shape - wider and higher [...]

Srahwee Wedge Tomb, Cregganbaun. County Mayo c.2000BC emmet2023-05-09T05:44:03+00:00

Westport House, Westport. County Mayo 1730

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One of Ireland's most great historic houses Westport House was designed by Richard Cassels and James Wyatt, 2 of the greatest architects to have worked in 18th-century Ireland. The house sits in a [...]

Westport House, Westport. County Mayo 1730 emmet2023-05-09T05:46:44+00:00

Meelick Round Tower, Swinford. County Mayo 10th century

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One of the finest round towers in the west of Ireland Meelick Round Tower was built between 923 and 1013AD on a monastic site attributed to St. Broccaidh. It is one of 5 [...]

Meelick Round Tower, Swinford. County Mayo 10th centuryemmet2023-05-09T05:47:54+00:00

Turlough Round Tower, Knockanour. County Mayo c.9th & c.18th centuries

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A dumpy tower fought over by two bishops The Turlough Round Tower stands proudly overlooking the gardens of the National Museum of Country Life. It dates to the c.9th century and its conical [...]

Turlough Round Tower, Knockanour. County Mayo c.9th & c.18th centuriesemmet2023-05-09T05:45:31+00:00

The Museum of Country Life, Turlough. County Mayo 1867 & 2001

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A modern masterpiece & a Victorian gem The Museum of Country Life was opened in 2001 and is the only national museum outside of Dublin. It represents traditional life in Ireland throughout the [...]

The Museum of Country Life, Turlough. County Mayo 1867 & 2001emmet2023-10-05T14:52:10+00:00

Ashford Castle, Cong. County Mayo c.12th & c.19th centuries

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Regarded as one of the finest hotels in the world Ashford Castle dates back to the 13th century when it was the principal residence of the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family. It remained in [...]

Ashford Castle, Cong. County Mayo c.12th & c.19th centuriesemmet2023-06-25T06:34:04+00:00

Rockfleet Castle, Newport. County Mayo c.1550

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The principal residence of The Pirate Queen of the West Rockfleet was one of many castles owned by Grainne O’Malley otherwise known as the Pirate Queen. Grace ruled much of the west coast [...]

Rockfleet Castle, Newport. County Mayo c.1550emmet2023-05-09T05:49:08+00:00