County Focus Mayo - Home of the Pirate Queen

In the second of our series of profiles of the seven counties that make up Ireland's Western Region we focus on County Mayo.

With the Western-most tip in Ireland, Mayo is famed for its folkloric sea pirates and stubborn revolutionaries. None more-so than the famous Pirate Queen, Gráinne Ui Mháille or Gráinne Whale, whose life has inspired musicians, novelists and playwrights to create works based on her adventures.

Centuries later Mayo has evolved into a bustling and progressive hive of creativity and innovation which still takes great pride in its stunningly beautiful unspoilt environment.

Cosmopolitan towns such as Westport burst with charm and personality, whilst nearby attractions include Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain with the starkly beautiful National Famine Memorial at its foot.

Of course Gráinne Uí Mháille isn’t the only famous Mayo native.  Ireland's first female President, Mary Robinson, hails from Ballina while famous Chieftains flautist, Matt Molloy, lives in Westport where he owns and runs the famous Matt Molloy's pub. >> More here

Mayo Video Case Studies

A few years ago, Tommy Griffith spotted a niche in the waste management market.

Having worked in Sales in the UK and Galway, Tommy identified an opportunity to set up his own company in his native home-place.  >> Watch video here

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Belmullet, Co Mayo revealed as location for Wave Energy Test Site

Belmullet, Co Mayo  will be the location of a national wave energy test site, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). 

A full scale wave energy test site, if developed, will determine the potential for Ireland's ocean resources to generate electricity.  >> More here

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LookWest.ie Competition in association with the Ice House Hotel, Ballina, Co Mayo

Foursquare is an online location-based social network. Foursquare detects players’ whereabouts through the GPS function on their mobile handsets.

Competition Details

Over the next three weeks, while out and about in cafés, bars, restaurants and other businesses in the the Western Region, check-in on  FourSquare .  We want readers to check-in at four businesses in any four of the seven Western Region counties promoted by LookWest.ie.

The competition prize includes an overnight night stay and breakfast for two people at the Ice House Hotel,  with dinner in their award-winning restaurant.

Further details here.

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Let's WIN one for the West - final day for IIA Net Visionary Awards Vote

We're very excited to be shortlisted in the IIA Net Visionary Awards .  If you haven't done so already, we would be so grateful if you could support LookWest.ie by voting here.

Voting closes at midnight tonight, April 30th, winners will be announced on May 20th.  Watch this space!

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