Mayo County Crest
The official Mayo crest consists of nine yew trees (the word Maigh Eo (Mayo) means "the plain of the yews"; there is one yew for each baronry in the county), four crosses, a ship and waves. The Patriarchal Cross (a cross with two bars) symbolises the Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam and the three smaller crosses represent the other three Catholic dioceses in Mayo, i.e. Achonry, Killala, and Galway-Kilmacduagh-Kilfenora. The motto "Dia is Muire Linn" translates as "God and Mary be with us". The rose was added to the crest to commemorate Pope John Paul II's visit to Knock Shrine in 1979. The crest was originally used by the county GAA and was later formally adopted for use by the County Council.
One of Grace O'Malley's castles between Mulranny and Newport.
County Mayo, Ireland
County Mayo borders the Atlantic Ocean on the western coast of the Republic of Ireland. Ireland is divided into four provinces and Mayo is a part of the province of Connaught, the western province.
Towns and Population
Castlebar is the county seat of government where the Mayo County Council is headquartered. Mayo's other two towns with Town Councils are Ballina and Westport.
It's 2002 population was 117,446 and growing. Mayo's total land area is 5585 km2. It's population density is approximately 19.9 inhabitants per kilometer.
Mayo's Mountains
Mayo has several significant mountain ranges which include three of the highest points in Ireland: Mweelrea (814 metres), Nephin (806 metres) and Croagh Patrick (764 metres).
Pilgrimage Sites
Croagh Patrick is also the site of a major annual religious pilgrimage which commemorates St. Patrick's own religious experience on the mountain (it was from its summit that St. Patrick is said to have banished snakes from Ireland, and it was also here that he is said to have spent 40 days and nights in meditation, fasting and prayer). The annual pilgrimage sees thousands of the faithful climbing to the summit to complete a ritual of prayers and penance.
Mayo's other famous pilgrimage site is Knock. Knock was a small town until August 21st 1879, when two local women said they saw an apparition of Mary, Joseph and St John the Evangelist at the south gable of the parish church. Thirteen other local people came to the site following their report and confirmed the apparition. Since then, the town has become a major pilgrimage site for the pious and those seeking cures for physical ailments. The town includes a basilica as well as the original parish church and various chapels catering to the pilgrims.
Céide Fields
Mayo is also home to the Céide Fields, a 5000 year old Neolithic farm stead. Visitors can tour an interactive museum which explains the significance of the site as well as walk the site itself, exploring its peoples' complex system of agriculture and way of life.
Rivers and Coastline
Mayo's most famous river, the Moy, is world famous among fishermen for its bounteous schools of Salmon, Trout, Pike and others.
Mayo has the longest coastline of any county in Ireland and sports a number of islands and bays. Mayo is home to Ireland's largest Island, Achill whose area is 148km2.
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