From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
County Mayo (
Irish:
Contae
Mhaigh Eo, the plain of the yews) is a
county
on the west coast of
Ireland. It
is in the province of
Connacht.
The county town of Mayo is
Castlebar,
which is also the largest town.
Ballina
is the second largest town. Mayo is bordered to the south by
Galway,
to the east by
Roscommon,
and to the north-east by
Sligo.
The shrine of Knock
is in Mayo close to the border with County
Roscommon. Mayo is also home to Croagh
Patrick a mountain where St.
Patrick is said to have fasted for forty days and nights.
The highest point in Mayo and Connacht is Mweelrea
(814 metres). The river Moy in
the northeast of the county is renowned for its salmon
fishing. Ireland's largest island,
Achill, is in Mayo.
Mayo is also noted for its Gaelic
Football team, and their inability to win All-Ireland Finals
in latter years. They last won the Sam
Maguire Cup in 1951.
Michael Davitt,
founder of the Land League,
was born in Mayo. The bridge
to Achill is named after him.
The south of Inishturk
island has a small secessionist movement which seeks to join with Co.
Galway to the south, although so far they have made little
progress.
