County Mayo, County in Connacht, Ireland
County Mayo is a county in Connacht, western Ireland, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and by Sligo, Galway, and Roscommon. The landscape ranges from rocky coastlines and sandy beaches to moorland, with mountain ridges and a network of lakes and rivers throughout.
The county was formed in 1585 when English administration adopted the boundaries of the Mac William Íochtar lordship. During the 19th century, the region experienced severe population loss and emigration through the great famine.
The name comes from the Irish Maigh Eo, meaning "plain of the yew trees," which refers to the Ballina area. In the western Gaeltacht regions, visitors still hear Irish spoken in shops, pubs, and on public signs.
Castlebar serves as a starting point for travelers, with trains to Dublin and other cities in the east. Regional bus routes connect smaller towns such as Westport, Ballina, and Claremorris for visitors exploring multiple areas.
Croagh Patrick attracts thousands of pilgrims each year who often climb the mountain barefoot. The coastline around Clew Bay reveals hundreds of small islands at low tide, which nearly disappear at high tide.
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