Finding your Irish roots in Mayo and knowing your history
Irish Roots and Castlebar Local History. With an estimated 80 million people worldwide with Irish blood, it’s no surprise we get plenty of folks coming to Mayo interested in researching their Irish roots in Mayo. And when they come here, they take a natural interest in our Mayo history – examples of which are right on our doorstep.
In fact, in 2013, there are events on right throughout Mayo celebrating ‘the gathering’ or the return of Irish emigrants of every generation back to the ‘oul sod. Ask us for more details and we’ll be glad to let you know what’s going on in Castlebar.
With two Family Research Centres in south and north Mayo, there are experienced people close by who can help you trace your Irish roots. Ask us to point you in their direction. Genealogy has become very popular in Ireland and Mayo is no exception.
Elsewhere, local history abounds. The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is set in modern exhibition galleries in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park House in Castlebar. While the Mayo Peace Park Garden of Remembrance in the town is very special. It’s dedicated to honour the memory of all those from Mayo, who served and died in all wars worldwide and conflicts of the past century, with the Allied and Commonwealth Forces.
Ballintubber Abbey stands one mile off the main Castlebar – Galway road, just seven miles outside the town. Founded in 1216 by Cathal Crovderg O’Connor, it is an important sacred Irish historical site which will celebrate its 800 year anniversary in 2016.
Croagh Patrick is perhaps our most famous ancient historical site in Mayo. Patrick’s sacred mountain, it has a rich vein of archaeological heritage. Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from Westport and the mountain’s conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside and Lough Lannagh.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Ask us on the front desk about more sites of historical interest to see and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Enjoy local history while you stay in Mayo and find out from us where to go and what to do.
