Mayo

County Mayo is a large Atlantic-facing county in the west of Ireland, part of the province of Connacht, known for dramatic coastlines, mountain scenery and a strong sense of rural identity. The county town is Castlebar, while Westport is the most popular visitor base and Ballina is the main town in the north.

Mayo's landscape anchors much of its appeal: the pilgrim mountain Croagh Patrick rises above Clew Bay, Achill Island marks the north-west edge, and Wild Nephin National Park protects remote bogland and moorland. Archaeological sites such as the Céide Fields, among Europe's oldest known field systems, reveal settlement thousands of years old.

Key landmarks include Westport House and its grounds, the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at Turlough Park, Knock Shrine, and Ashford Castle on the shores of Lough Corrib near Cong. The Great Western Greenway, a traffic-free walking and cycling trail, links Westport with Achill Island.

Castlebar and Ballina function as key towns for services, business and administration, while Ireland West Airport Knock provides air connections for the region. Tourism, food production and small-scale manufacturing are important parts of the local economy, and the county sits on the Wild Atlantic Way touring route.

Mayo suits travellers who want open landscapes, coastal walks, heritage towns and outdoor activity, as well as business visitors attending events in its regional towns or connecting through the west of Ireland.