Discover Mayo
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Mayo, Ireland's third biggest county, stretches from Lough Corrib and the long narrow fjord of Killary Harbour in the south to the barony of Erris and Killala Bay in the north, and from the Atlantic ocean on the west coast to the counties of Sligo and Roscommon on the east. With its serene, unspoilt beauty, its crystal clear lakes and rivers, and its host of small villages dotted about the coast, Mayo offers an ideal escape from the stress of 21st century life.
Self Catering Mayo - Achill Island & Ballina
Mayo also includes Ireland's largest island, Achill Island, which is accessible by bridge. Its magnificent Atlantic Drive showcases its unparalleled white sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. Climb up to the Megalithic Tombs or spend a day at one of the two Adventure Centres that offer the best in windsurfing, sailing, abseiling, and diving.
Ballina is the county's largest town and host to the Ballina Salmon Festival each July; it's a favourite base for anglers . The sport is hugely popular, and there is a wealth of wildlife on the coast or in the lakes. Tours are available of favourite haunts of everything from otters to dolphins.
Self Catering Mayo - Knock & Cong
Mayo also contains one of the world's most famous sites of religious pilgrimage in Knock. The Marian Shrine and Church of the Apparition with its small Folk Museum on the site, is visited every year by hundreds of thousands of people, many praying for one of the miracles with which Knock has become synonymous.
Film buffs will not want to miss out on a visit to the pretty village of Cong, where the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage stands in tribute to the John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara classic of 1951. In many ways, life in Cong has stood still since then. A short amble through the woods leads to the splendidly aristocratic Ashford Castle with its Falconry School, and Cong Abbey.
Self Catering Mayo - Westport
Westport is home to Westport House and Country Park where eighteenth century gentility exists side-by-side with childrens' theme park amenities. 8 km southwest is Croagh Patrick, where pilgrims -many of them barefoot- make their way to the summit. Here, too, is the National Famine Memorial - a chilling reminder of the Great Hunger which halved the population of the country and a lasting testament to the suffering of 1845-9. The Famine Museum and Granuaile Visitors Centre in Louisburgh gives a deeper insight into the Famine and its legacy. The centre also recounts the tale of the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley (Granbuaile)
Self Catering Mayo - Golf
Two of the best golf courses in the west of Ireland, Carne Golf Links and Enniscrone Golf Club, are in Mayo, (although the town of Enniscrone itself is just across the border in County Sligo). The Carne Links ducks and dives through towering sand dunes, while the elevated tees give spectacular views of Achill and her sister Atlantic Islands. Golfers find the strong Atlantic winds are an added challenge! The inland course at Westport has twice hosted the Irish Amateur Championships. Nestling at the foot of Croagh Patrick, the power of prayer may well be needed at the 15th where golfers must drive across more than 200 yards of Atlantic Ocean. Ballinrobe is a fine parkland course and there are also courses at Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballina.
A self catering holiday comes into its own in county Mayo; but for a once-in-a lifetime taste of opulence, dine at Ashford Castle, sample the signature Prince of Wales cocktail - and marvel at the celebrated entries in the guest book! Flaherty's in Oughterard is a fine classical Irish pub with excellent live traditional music
Peace, tranquility, and spiritual serenity are the rich legacy of time spent among the unspoiled countryside of Mayo. As well as an insight into Ireland's past, County Mayo offers the ideal antidote to stress- making it a place to unwind, to explore at leisure, and to cherish.
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Self Catering Ireland - Self Catering Mayo