County Mayo

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County Mayo

General Information
Name	County Mayo
Native Name	Contae Mhaigh Eo
Other Names
Settlement Type	County
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates
Map
Population
Total	130507
Density	auto per km²
Area
Total	5586 km²
Land	km²
Water	km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC
DST	UTC

County Mayo (Irish: Contae Mhaigh Eo ) is a county in the Province of Connacht in the west of Ireland. It is named after the village of Mayo and is the third-largest county by area in Ireland. The county town is Castlebar.

Geography

County Mayo is bordered by County Sligo to the northeast, County Roscommon to the east, and County Galway to the south. To the west and north, it is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The county has a diverse landscape that includes mountains, lakes, and a rugged coastline. The highest point in Mayo is Mweelrea, which stands at 814 meters.

History

County Mayo has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The region is known for its megalithic tombs, such as those found at Carrowmore. During the early Christian period, Mayo was an important center of monastic activity, with notable sites such as Ballintubber Abbey and Cong Abbey. The county also played a significant role during the Great Famine of the 1840s, which had a devastating impact on the population.

Economy

The economy of County Mayo is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and small-scale industries. The county is known for its sheep farming and dairy production. Tourism is a significant contributor to the local economy, with attractions such as Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, and the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life.

Culture

Mayo has a vibrant cultural scene, with a strong tradition of Irish music, dance, and literature. The county hosts several annual festivals, including the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival and the Ballina Salmon Festival. The Irish language is also spoken in parts of Mayo, particularly in the Gaeltacht areas.

Notable People

• Grace O'Malley - The famous pirate queen of the 16th century.
• Michael Davitt - Founder of the Irish National Land League.
• Enda Kenny - Former Taoiseach of Ireland.

Related Pages

• Connacht
• Castlebar
• Croagh Patrick
• Achill Island
• Great Famine (Ireland)
• Irish language
• Gaeltacht

External Links

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