List of national monuments in County Mayo facts for kids

The Irish state has a special way of protecting old and important places like ancient buildings and historical sites. These places are called "national monuments." If a site is super important to Ireland's history or culture, the government makes sure it's kept safe for everyone to learn from and enjoy. Sometimes, even the land around a monument is protected to keep it safe. County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland, is full of these amazing national monuments!

Exploring Mayo's National Monuments

County Mayo is home to many incredible historical sites. Let's take a look at some of the most interesting ones that the Irish state has decided to protect.

Ancient Monasteries and Abbeys

Mayo has a rich history of religious sites, many of which are now beautiful ruins.

Moyne Abbey

Moyne Abbey, a Franciscan friary near Killala.

Moyne Abbey is a Franciscan friary, which is a type of monastery where monks lived. It's located near Abbeylands and was built a long time ago. Imagine monks walking through these halls, praying and working!

Ballintubber Abbey

Ballintubber Abbey, an Augustinian priory.

Ballintubber Abbey is an Augustinian priory. It's special because it's one of the few monasteries in Ireland that has been in continuous use for over 800 years! People still visit and worship here today.

Murrisk Abbey

The ruins of Murrisk Abbey.

Another Augustinian friary, Murrisk Abbey, sits near the base of Croagh Patrick, a famous holy mountain. It has a beautiful setting close to the sea.

Burrishoole Abbey

Burrishoole Abbey, a Dominican friary.

Burrishoole Abbey is a Dominican friary located near Newport. These ruins tell stories of a time when religious orders played a huge role in Irish life.

Cong Abbey

Cong Abbey, known for its beautiful architecture.

Cong Abbey is a stunning Augustinian priory in the village of Cong. It's famous for its beautiful stone carvings and historical importance. It was once a very important center of learning and religion.

Rosserk Abbey

Rosserk Abbey, a well-preserved Franciscan friary.

Rosserk Abbey is another Franciscan friary, known for being very well-preserved. You can still see many of its original features, giving you a real sense of what it was like centuries ago.

Strade Abbey

Strade Abbey, a Dominican friary.

Strade Abbey is a Dominican friary located in Strade. Like many of these abbeys, it was a place of worship and community for monks and the local people.

Impressive Castles

Mayo also has many castles, which were strongholds built for defense and living.

Aghalard Castle

The remains of Aghalard Castle.

Aghalard Castle is a historic castle located in Aghalahard. Castles like this were once home to powerful families and were built to protect their lands.

Ballylahan Castle

Ballylahan Castle, a tower house.

Ballylahan Castle is another impressive castle in Mayo. Many Irish castles are "tower houses," which are tall, strong buildings designed for defense.

Carrickkildavnet Castle

Carrickkildavnet Castle on Achill Island.

Carrickkildavnet Castle is found on Achill Island. It's often linked to the famous pirate queen, Gráinne Mhaol (Grace O'Malley), who lived in the 16th century.

Granuaile's Castle

Granuaile's Castle on Clare Island.

Speaking of Grace O'Malley, Granuaile's Castle is another one of her strongholds, located on Clare Island. It's amazing to think about the history these walls have seen!

Rockfleet Castle

Rockfleet Castle, another castle associated with Grace O'Malley.

Rockfleet Castle, also known as Carrickahowley Castle, is another castle near Newport that was once owned by Grace O'Malley. These castles show how important defense was in the past.

Mysterious Round Towers

Round towers are tall, cone-capped stone towers found mostly in Ireland. They were built by monks in the early medieval period.

Aghagower Round Tower

The Round Tower at Aghagower.

The Aghagower Round Tower is an ancient tower and church site. These towers were used for many things, like bell towers, lookouts, and safe places for treasures.

Balla Round Tower

The Round Tower at Balla.

The Balla Round Tower is another example of these unique Irish structures. It stands tall in the town of Balla.

Meelick Round Tower

Meelick Round Tower.

Meelick Round Tower is a well-known landmark in Meelick. These towers are a fascinating part of Ireland's early Christian history.

Killala Round Tower

The Round Tower at Killala.

The Killala Round Tower is located in Killala. It's a reminder of the early Christian settlements that dotted the Irish landscape.

Turlough Church and Round Tower

Turlough Round Tower and Church.

At Turlough, you can find both a historic church and a round tower. It's a great example of how these structures were often built together.

Ancient Tombs and Stones

Mayo also has very old burial sites and standing stones from prehistoric times.

Ballina Portal Tomb (Dolmen of the Four Maols)

The Dolmen of the Four Maols, a portal tomb.

This site, also known as the Dolmen of the Four Maols, is a portal tomb. These are ancient burial chambers made of large stones, built thousands of years ago.

Breastagh Ogham Stone

The Breastagh Ogham Stone.

The Breastagh Ogham Stone is an Ogham stone, which is a standing stone with ancient Irish writing carved into it. Ogham is the earliest known form of writing in Ireland.

Glebe Stone Circles

One of the Glebe Stone Circles.

The Glebe Stone Circles are mysterious circles of standing stones. We don't know exactly why they were built, but they were likely used for ceremonies or as ancient calendars.

Other Important Sites

Mayo has a variety of other protected sites, showing different aspects of its history.

Bunnadober Mill

Bunnadober Mill complex.

Bunnadober Mill is a mill complex, which means it was a place where grain was ground into flour. It shows us how people lived and worked in more recent history.

Images for kids

• Ballymacgibbon Cairn

  Ballymacgibbon Cairn

• Barnacahoge Cashel

  Barnacahoge Cashel

• Boheh Stone

  Boheh Stone, featuring ancient rock art.

• Caherduff Castle

  Caherduff Castle

• Carbad More

  Carbad More Ringfort

• Eochy's Cairn

  Eochy's Cairn

• Carrowcastle Wedge Tomb

  Carrowcastle Wedge Tomb

• Carrowcrom Wedge Tomb

  Carrowcrom Wedge Tomb

• Cashel Cairn

  Cashel Cairn, a type of tomb.

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  Burriscarra Abbey, a Carmelite friary.

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  Castle Carra

• Templenagalliaghdoo

  Templenagalliaghdoo Church

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  Errew Abbey

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  St. Dairbhile's Church

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  Inishglora Island, an early medieval site.

• Inishkea Islands

  Inishkea North Island, an early medieval site.

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  Inishmaine Abbey

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  Kilcashel Stone Fort

• Kildermot Church

  Kildermot Church

• Kildun Standing Stones

  Kildun Standing Stones

• Kinlough Castle

  Kinlough Castle and church.

• Lankill Standing Stone

  Lankill Standing Stone

• The Gods of the Neale Monument

  The Gods of the Neale Monument.

• Kelly's Cave

  Kelly's Cave

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  Rathfran Friary

• Rathfran Stone Circle

  Rathfran Stone Circle

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  Rathfranpark Wedge Tomb

• Rosdoagh Court Tomb

  Rosdoagh Court Tomb

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  Shrule Abbey

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  Clare Island Abbey

Sources

• National Monuments in County Mayo