Mayo
Mayo, (Irish - Maigh Eo: Plain of the Yew Trees) is the 3rd largest county in Ireland. The three main towns are Castlebar, Ballina and Westport, each of which has plenty of activities, attractions and seasonal events. Mayo is rich in heritage, history, unspoilt scenery and tradition. It is a county steeped in history, ancient monuments - standing stones, ring forts, ruined Abbeys, Friaries and Churches are dotted all over the county. The western county of Mayo has a wild beauty that remains unspoilt and largely undiscovered. Along the windswept coastline there are long deserted sandy beaches and magnificent cliffs with rugged headlands. Inland there is stunning lakeland scenery and rolling plains. Mayo is home to the Great Western Lakes of Conn, Cullen and Corrib and the iconic mountain Croagh Patrick. This holy mountain is a place of pilgrimage for thousands on the last Sunday in July. It is believed to be where St. Patrick spent forty days of prayer and fasting in 441 A.D.