Clew Bay from Newport, Co Mayo.

County Mayo lies on the far west coast of Ireland and is known as either the Yew County, the Maritime County or the Heather County. Mayo, the third largest county in area, is located in the Province of Connaught. Croagh Patrick, the mountain where St. Patrick is reported to have spent 40 days in prayer, is located here and is the site of an annual pilgrimage that occurs on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July. Mayo is also home of the legendary Gráinne Mhaol (or Grace O’Malley), the Pirate Queen. Click here for more information about Gráinne Mhaol (pronounced “Gran-ya Whale”).