The West — County Mayo
Photos: (clockwise) The Basilica at Knock; the cliffs at Ceide Fields; "The Quiet Man" Heritage Cottage; Foxford Woollen Mills
Wedged between Galway and Sligo, Mayo is a little off the usual tourist route, but well worth the extra mileage and effort. Rimmed by the Atlantic, Mayo presents a great variety of scenery — from dramatic coastlines and beaches to fish-filled rivers and lakes, and endless mountains and boglands. This is "The Quiet Man" country, setting for the classic 1952 film of the same name.
County Mayo also offers Ceide Fields, a 5,000-year-old farm preserved in a blanket of bog; Clew Bay, home of hundreds of islands including the wildly beautiful Achill; Westport, a model 18th century Georgian town; and two great spiritual sites — Croagh Patrick (St. Patrick's Holy Mountain) and Knock Shrine, a prime place of pilgrimage.
Here are a few highlights to whet your appetite:
Ballintubber Abbey, Ballintubber, Co. Mayo (tel. 094-903-0934), is "the abbey that refused to die." Built in 1216 by a local king, it was suppressed and made roofless in the 17th century. But, for over 250 years, it continued to operate as people attended services in the wind, rain, and all kinds of weather, making Ballintubber one of the few Irish churches in continuous use for over 800 years. It was completely restored in 1966. Volunteers provide guided tours and also show a 20-minute audio-visual on history of the abbey. Web site: www.ballintubberabbey.ie
Ceide Fields, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo (tel. 096-43325), has been called the world's most extensive Stone Age site. Discovered less than 20 years ago, it is also one of Ireland's most significant archaeological finds — a 5,000-year-old farm unearthed in a blanket of bog. Visitors can take on-site tours of the field systems, enclosures, and tombs. A visitor center provides helpful background and displays. The nearby Cliffs of Ceide are a special attraction, too, composed on hundreds of layers of rock built up over millions of years. Note: "Ceide" is pronounced "Kayd-je." Open mid-March to October. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie
Croagh Patrick Centre/Teach na Miasa, Murrisk, Co. Mayo (tel. 098-64114), is a visitor centre at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain overlooking Clew Bay, chosen by St. Patrick in 441 for a 40-day fast. In addition to providing guidance and toilet/shower facilities for those who venture out to climb the 2,510-foot mountain, this purpose-built centre also serves as an information source for non-climbing visitors about the mountain and its traditions. The exhibits include a photo gallery and displays on the archaeological, social, and religious history of the mountain. For those who have an hour to spare, there is a 55-minute audio-visual shown throughout the day. Guided tours of the mountain are also available from the centre. Facilities include a coffee shop, self-service restaurant, and craft shop selling locally-made crafts, maps, books on local history and archaeology, and gear for the trek — walking sticks, socks, and rain wear. It is located 5 miles west of Westport. Open daily March to October. Web site: www.croagh-patrick.com
Foxford Woollen Mills, Foxford, Co.Mayo (tel. 094-925-6756) produces the colorful blankets, rugs, and tweed clothing that is known the world over. This factory-cum-museum uses a walk-through audio-visual to tell the story of how the mills were started in 1892, founded by a trail-blazing nun to provide work for the local community. Visitors are also welcome to take a guided tour of the mills and watch the various stages of the weaving process. Open daily, year-round. Web site: www.museumsofmayo.com
Fr. Peyton Memorial Centre, Attymass, Ballina, Co. Mayo, is a memorial museum dedicated to the life of Attymass-born Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the "rosary priest" who emigrated to the US in 1928 and founded the Family Rosary Crusade in 1942. Popular with Christian pilgrims who are also visiting Knock, the facility includes a photographic exhibition on the priest's life, an oratory and contemplation garden, restaurant, and craft shop. It is located about 5 miles SE of Ballina and 20 miles NW of Knock. Open daily year-round. Web site: www.museumsofmayo.com
Granuaile (Grace O'Malley) Centre, off Main St., Louisburgh, Co. Mayo (098-66341), is a museum commemorating the adventures of Ireland's legendary pirate queen, Grace O'Malley (1530-1600). It includes exhibits, paintings, and an audio-visual on Grace's daring seafaring exploits. Open June-mid-September.
Knock - Ireland's National Marian Shrine, Knock, Co. Mayo (tel. 094-938-8100) is the hub of religious pilgrimage in Ireland, drawing more than 1.5 million people per year. The story of Knock goes back to 1879 when 15 local residents told of seeing a vision of the Blessed Mother. The Catholic Church gave its seal of approval to the apparition in 1979 when Pope John Paul II visited. The site includes a huge basilica, a small original chapel, folk museum, gardens, and much more. Web site: www.knock-shrine.ie
Michael Davitt Museum, Ballina Road (N 58), Straide, Co. Mayo (tel. 094-903-1022), is
dedicated to Michael Davitt (1846-1906), born and buried at Straide and the son of a small
farmer who was evicted from his land. As a result, Michael founded Ireland's Land League
in 1879 - and changed the face of modern Ireland. This was a popular national movement
seeking the end of exorbitant rents and evictions and instead making tenants the owners of
the lands that they farmed. Housed in a restored 18th century Penal church beside the 13th
century Straide Abbey, the museum contains various documents, photos, letters, postcards,
posters and memorabilia belonging to Davitt. Open daily year-round. It is situated mid-way between Foxford and Castlebar. Web site: www.museumsofmayo.com
National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo (tel. 094-903-1733), is
the first branch of Ireland's National Museum to be located outside of Dublin. Designed to
provide insight into the social history of Ireland, the $12 million custom-designed museum
houses the National Folk Life Collection, a gathering of items representing the traditions
of rural life throughout the country (1850-1950). Exhibits include more than 50,000 items,
divided into categories of domestic furniture, agricultural implements, religious items,
dress and footwear and educational gear plus unique archival film footage - all
harmoniously melded together and set on a hillside 4 miles east of Castlebar, amid the
beautiful grounds of Turlough Park. Facilities include a café, indoor and outdoor
seating, and a shop. Admission is free. Open year-round, Tuesday — Sunday. Web site: www.museum.ie
"The Quiet Man" Heritage Cottage, Circular Rd., Cong, Co.Mayo (tel. 094-954-6089), commemorates the making of the classic film in this part of Mayo over 45 years ago. The ground floor has been designed as a replica of the original cottage set where the interior scenes were filmed. All of the costumes, implements and furnishings are authentic reproductions of those used in the film. Life-size figures of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne add to the nostalgia. Open March-November. Web site: www.quietman-cong.com/museum.htm
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