- Saint Colman of Inishbofin: August 8, c. 7th century: InishbofinColman, a monk from Lindisfarne, founded a monastery on Inishbofin after disputes over the Roman Easter. He later moved to Burrishoole, Mayo, establishing another community. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Inishbofin’s parish, with its church ruins, honors him, reflecting Mayo’s role in Celtic monasticism.
- Saint Gerald (Garalt): March 13, c. 7th century: BallintubberGerald, possibly of English origin, founded Ballintubber Abbey, a major pilgrimage site. Known for his miracles and ascetic life, his feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus. Ballintubber’s parish, with its 13th-century abbey (built on his foundation), venerates him, tying Mayo to early Christian scholarship.
- Saint Patrick: March 17, c. 385–461: Croagh Patrick (Murrisk)Ireland’s primary patron saint, Patrick fasted for 40 days on Croagh Patrick, Mayo’s holy mountain, earning it the name “Ireland’s Sinai.” His Confession describes his mission. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Murrisk’s parish, with the mountain’s pilgrimage trail, honors him, a key site for Reek Sunday.
- Saint Brigid of Kildare: February 1, c. 451–525 One of Ireland’s three patron saints, Brigid’s cult is found in Mayo, where she is linked to Balla through a church dedication. Known for her generosity and miracles, her feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Balla’s parish, with its round tower and holy well, reflects her national prominence.
- Saint Columba (Colum Cille): June 9, c. 521–597: IslandeadyOne of Ireland’s three patron saints, Columba is linked to Islandeady through missionary work before founding Iona, Scotland. His Life by Adamnan records miracles. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Islandeady’s parish reflects his influence, tying Mayo to his monastic network.
- Saint Derbhile (Dervilla): October 26, c. 6th century: Erris (Falu)Derbhile, a female saint, founded a church at Falu in Erris. Known for her piety and miracles, including curing her eyes at a holy well, her feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus. Erris’s parish, with St. Derbhile’s Church and well, is a pilgrimage site, highlighting Mayo’s female monastic tradition.
- Saint Feichin: January 20, c. 6th–7th century: Ballysadare (historically linked)Feichin founded a monastery at Ballysadare, Sligo, but is linked to Mayo through missionary work in Termon, near Ballina. Known for his asceticism, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Termon’s parish reflects his influence, tying Mayo to Sligo’s monastic network.
- Saint Cormac: February 21, c. 6th century: AghagowerCormac, an obscure saint, is linked to Aghagower, where he may have founded a church. Tradition connects him to St. Patrick’s mission. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Aghagower’s parish, with its round tower and holy well, preserves his legacy, reflecting Mayo’s early Christian sites.
- Saint Senan: March 8, c. 488–544: Killala (historically linked)Senan, patron of Clare, is linked to Killala through missionary work before founding Scattery Island. His Life records miracles like banishing a monster. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Killala’s parish reflects Mayo’s ties to Clare’s monastic tradition.
- Saint Cuan: February 4, c. 6th century: KilcumminCuan, an obscure saint, is associated with Kilcummin, near Killala, where he may have founded a church. His feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus, but details are sparse. Kilcummin’s parish, with early Christian sites, honors him, underscoring Mayo’s local saintly tradition.
- Saint Enda of Aran: March 21, c. 5th–6th century: Inishmurray (historically linked)Enda, the “Patriarch of Irish Monasticism,” founded Inishmurray’s monastery, Sligo, but is linked to Mayo through missionary work in the west. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Inishmurray’s influence extends to Mayo parishes like Kilmoremoy, reflecting his Aran legacy.
- Saint Attracta: August 11, c. 6th century: TourmakeadyAttracta, a female saint, is linked to Tourmakeady through a church dedication, though primarily associated with Sligo. Known for her hospitality and miracles, her feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Tourmakeady’s parish, with St. Attracta’s Church, reflects Mayo’s devotion to female saints.
Saints
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
Sacred Places
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
Holy Wells
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 –
