County Mayo in the West of
Ireland
28th April - 1st May 2006
28 Aibreán - 1 Bealtaine 2006
Louisburgh
Kilgeever parish in which Louisburgh is situated is in
the South West of County Mayo. It is bounded by Croagh
Patrick to the east, the Sheaffrey and Mweelrea Mountains to
the south, the Atlantic to the west and Clew Bay to the
north. All of this landscape is designated as an area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Mayo County Development
Plan, and calls have been made for its designation as a
'Special Amenity Area'.
Croagh Patrick, Irelands holy mountain and known locally
as "The Reek", dominates the eastern landscape and attracts
up to 100,000 climbers annually. Many are pilgrims who make
the climb on Garland Sunday and Garland Friday (the last
Sunday and Friday of July).
Croagh Patrick
The Reek, a challenging climb that should be undertaken
with care, gives a breathtaking panoramic view of much of
Mayo and towers above Clew Bay, with its 365 islets. The
area is rich in archaeological monuments and areas of
scientific interest.
Clew Bay from top of Croagh
Patrick
Off the coast are the inhabited islands of Clare and
Innishturk and the uninhabited Cahir Island with its
monastic ruins.
Clare Island from near Old
Head
Scenic drives abound and the drive south to Connemara via
Doolough and Leenane is particularly breathtaking. The area,
which has miles of some of the finest beaches in Ireland, is
renowned for its friendliness.
The Earl of Altamont received a Patent to hold fairs and
markets in Louisburgh in 1795. It is believed this gave the
impetus for the building of the town. In 1796 it, and the
surrounding areas, housed many refugees from Northern
Ireland who were escaping from sectarian conflict.
The area suffered more than most during the great famine
of 1846 to 1849. The 1841 census recorded a population of
12,573 while ten years later the population was down to
6,892. The tragic events of that period are now commemorated
in an annual walk to Doulough, ten miles south of
Louisburgh.
Doulough
From the time of the Famine up to relatively recent
times, emigration, mainly to America and England, was a
necessity for the majority of the youth of the area. Boston,
Chicago, London and Coventry were talked of with the same
familiarity as Galway or Dublin in most homes. Those who
stayed behind often depended on the generosity of the
emigrants for many of their comforts at home. Thankfully
Louisburgh is now a very different place. Housing and
general living conditions are now of a high standard and the
area has a vibrant if, in line with other rural areas,
falling population.
The American writer Harold Speakman who travelled all
around Ireland researching his travel book "Here's Ireland"
(published in 1926) wrote:
"From Leenane on Killery Bay, ten miles onward
toward Louisburg (sic), ran a stretch of road which was
the fairest I had seen in Ireland. After the village and
fjord which was Norway, and the mountain torrent and
forest grove that was Switzerland, came a canyon which
was Montana, and beyond it, a lake like a miniature Sea
of Galilee"
You can find out more information about Louisburgh on the
Louisburgh
website.
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