• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-970205241335
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/county-mayo",
  "destination": "County-Mayo",
  "title": "county-mayo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

County Mayo

Ireland

Ireland Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Sheep inside an abandoned dry stone cottage in the deserted village of Slievemore on Achill Island.

Sheep inside an abandoned dry stone cottage in the deserted village of Slievemore on Achill Island.

Overview

Mayo has wild beauty and haunting landscapes, but you'll find few tourists here, which means there are plenty of untapped opportunities for exploration by car, foot, bicycle or horseback. Life here has never been easy and the Potato Famine (1845–51) ravaged the county and prompted mass emigration. Consequently many people with Irish ancestry around the world can trace their roots to this once-blighted land.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of County Mayo? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Ireland trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Icons of Southern Ireland: 12 Days in Dublin, Kinsale, Cork, and Tipperary

highlights

  1. 1Viewing the illuminated Book of Kells in Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library
  2. 2Partaking in a traditional afternoon tea inside Waterford’s famous crystal factory
  3. 3Foraging for wild seaweed with an expert guide on the Ring of Kerry
from $5,700

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-183731091815
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/county-mayo",
  "destination": "County-Mayo",
  "title": "county-mayo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-226341477900
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/county-mayo",
  "destination": "County-Mayo",
  "title": "county-mayo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in County Mayo

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-768627741483
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/county-mayo",
  "destination": "County-Mayo",
  "title": "county-mayo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}