Ireland.com

County Mayo

See Bartra and sea cliffs near Ceide Fields or climb the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick

One of the most unspoiled regions of Europe, County Mayo has deserted golden sandy beaches, the most expansive blanket bog in the country and some of the best salmon and trout fishing in Europe.

It is a significant destination for religious pilgrims – the county is the unofficial Catholic capital of Ireland with a National Shrine in Knock where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in an apparition and the sacred mountain of Croagh Patrick near Westport where St Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days.

Mayo is sometimes overlooked as a holiday brochures that throw a spotlight on more obvious destinations like Kerry, Dublin and Connemara.

But this county ranks in the top five when it comes to landscape and wilderness. The view over Clew Bay and its 365 islands from the summit of St Patrick is breath-taking while the sea-cliffs on the north coast and the beaches of Mullet Peninsula, Achill and Clew Bay count as some of Ireland's most unspoiled. The mountain passes of the west, and particularly the drive between Louisburgh and Leenane are the crowning glory of the county.

Other attractions include Westport and the fairytale Ashford Castle in Cong, where Pierce Brosnan – AKA James Bond – got married to Keeley Shaye Smith.

Cong is a popular stopping spot for anglers as it lies on the banks of Lough Mask, one of Ireland’s largest lakes. It is also on the Hollywood map – John Ford's The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara was filmed there and the cottage of the movie is now a museum.

Lough Mask is one of Ireland's top fishing spots along with the more northerly Lough Conn and Ballina on the River Moy is known as the salmon capital of Ireland.

Mayo's coastline is the longest in the country and its clean sheltered beaches – 13 of which are Blue Flag - are great for swimming, surfing and watersports.