Nestled on the western
seaboard of Ireland is the natural and unspoilt county
of Mayo. Covering and area of 2,159 square miles, this
rural corner of Connaught houses a population of just over
110,000 people and is the third largest county in Ireland.
County Mayo is home to a rich history of organized farming
dating back some 5,000 years, preserved Neolithic remains
and has strong connections with the early ministry of St.
Patrick.
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.
St. Patrick (who lived and worked between 400 and
500 CE) spent some time in Mayo and is associated
with Croagh Patrick, Aghagower, Ballintubber, Kilmoremoy
(near Ballina), Foghill (West of Kilalla), and Ballycastle.
The Normans conquered Mayo in 1235. This was followed
by the Cromwellian campaign (1649-1653), after which
people who were dispossessed of their lands in the
east of Ireland, settled in Mayo. Further settlement
occurred in 1795, when an estimated 4,000 from Northern
Ireland settled in the county.
On the 22 August 1798, General Humbert and about
1,100 French soldiers arrived at Kilcummin Strand
in North Mayo to participate in an insurrection,
which up to then had been confined to the north and
east of the country. Humbert led 700 of his men,
and about the same number of untrained Irish recruits,
to capture the town of Castlebar before finally being
defeated at Ballinamuck, Co. Longford. Following
their surrender, the insurgents and anyone suspected
of helping the French were hunted down and executed.
It is estimated that 400 to 600 lost their lives
in this operation.
During the Great Famine from 1845 to 1849, thousands
died from starvation-related diseases and emigration
commenced on a big scale. A national movement was
initiated from County Mayo during 1879, which brought
about one of the greatest social changes ever seen
in Ireland. Michael Davitt founded the Mayo Land
League, which he organised into a national body,
and resulted in tenant-farmers becoming owner-occupiers
of their land. The bridge to Achill is named after
him.
The history of Mayo since 1922 is little different
from the national one. With a high birth rate and few
opportunities for employment at home, numerous people
from Mayo emigrated and are now part of the great extended
Irish family throughout the globe. However, there is
now a new spirit of dynamism in Mayo, thanks to a healthy
industrial base from export-led American, Japanese
and European corporations, as well as some Irish companies.
