- George Augustus Moore (1852–1933): Born at Moore Hall, Ballyglass, Co. Mayo. A significant figure in Irish literature, Moore was a novelist, short-story writer, poet, and dramatist. His notable works include A Mummer’s Wife (1885), Esther Waters (1894), and the trilogy Hail and Farewell (1911–1914), which chronicles his life in Ireland. He studied art in Paris before settling in London and later returning to Ireland, serving as High Sheriff of Mayo in 1905. His novel The Brook Kerith (1916) established him as a master of English prose.
- Matthew Archdeacon (c.1800–1853): Born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, where he also kept an academy. Archdeacon wrote four novels depicting Mayo’s people, their legends, and stories related to the 1798 Rebellion, drawing from firsthand accounts. His works are noted for their vivid portrayal of local life.
- Sally Rooney (1991–): Born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. A contemporary novelist, Rooney gained international acclaim for her novels Conversations with Friends (2017), Normal People (2018), and Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021). Her work explores themes of relationships, class, and modern Irish society, earning her numerous awards and a global following.
- Mike McCormack: A critically acclaimed novelist from Mayo, known for Solar Bones.
- Colin Barrett: Author of Young Skins and Homesickness, a contemporary writer associated with Mayo.
- Matthew Archdeacon (died 1853): A novelist and schoolteacher born in Castlebar.
- Michael Mullen: Novelist.
- Ernie O’Malley (1897–1957): Primarily known for his memoirs of the Irish revolutionary period, he was born in Castlebar.
- Canon Ulick Bourke (1829–1887): Born in Castlebar, he wrote extensively, including early work on Irish history.
- John F. Deane: Poet and novelist, often associated with Achill.
Novelists
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Poets
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Writers
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Mayo:
Ireland’s county Mayo offers dramatic scenery and ancient heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher’s rugged beauty and Croagh Patrick’s pilgrimage trail providing stunning vistas. The town of Westport features Georgian architecture and access to Clew Bay’s islands, while the Ceide Fields showcase a prehistoric farming landscape. Other attractions include the celebrity beaches of Achill Island. Mayo is Ireland’s third largest county by size (5,398 square km) and 18th largest by population (137,970). Population peaked at 388,887 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 109,525 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Mayo is Ireland’s tenth most visited tourist county with around 218,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
