heritage centres mayo

The Michael Davitt Museum and the adjoining community centre were opened on 23 April 1984 in Straide to honour its native son, Michael Davitt, founder of the National Land League, politician and one of Ireland's greatest patriots.
Michael Davitt (1846-1906) was the founder, chief organiser and inspiring genius of the Land League, the biggest mass movement in modern Irish history, which transformed tenant-farmers into owner-occupiers by constitutional means. When Michael was four years...

The Mayo North Family History Research Centre and The Heritage Centre are community organisations set up to preserve and promote the rich local culture and to use this heritage for the benefit of the local community....

Housed in a 19th century building, Clew Bay Heritage Centre tells the story of Westport through the years. It traces the history of the town and Clew Bay from pre Christian times to date.
Displays consist of documents, photographs and general artefacts connected with Westport, one of the few planned towns in Ireland. Other features include a genealogical research facility and there are also guided walks of the town....

Research Centre: The Mayo North Family History Research Centre is part of a nationwide network under the auspices of the Irish Family History Foundation. Indices to church registers of all denominations are held at the centre, and together with school roll books, land and civil records, a valuable archive has been established. This databank has been used to answer genealogical enquiries from all corners of the world....

The history of the cinema is littered with major box-office 'hits' which after their fashionable success are forgotten, as surely as if they ended up on the 'cutting room floor'. However, there are some enduring classics which have developed a cult-following and high on this list is John Ford's greatest movie 'The quiet Man' starring Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald.
Shot in 1951 and released in 1952 it is set in the beautiful West of Ireland, with filming being centred...

Achill, Ireland's largest offshore island and one if its most spectacular, is joined to the mainland by a bridge at Achill Sound. With a population of some 3,000 people, it is 22 km (14 miles) long and 19 km (12 miles) wide. The island carries the distinction of having received five European five Blue flag Beach awards.

Achill's steep hills rise steeply from the sea, and the island possesses some of the most amazing cliff faces in Europe. Its famous Atlantic Drive reveals some of A...

On display is an innovative permanent exhibition detailing the immense wealth of archaeological and historical interest to be found in Cong and it's environs, dating back to pre-historic times. The exhibition was compiled by leading archaeologist Michael Gibbons who has published a new historical guide and map covering the archaeology and history of Cong from 7,000BC up to the 19th century. Mr. Gibbons has previously lectured to the National Geography Society and the Smithsonian Institute in W...

Situated in unspoilt countryside overlooking Creagaballa Lake 6.5km from the workhouse at Swinford where thousands of people from the region died during the 19th century due to starvation, and 8km from Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre. Hennigan's Heritage is a new and unique development in the county. Here you can see and hear how this family survived on less than 10 acres of poorish land for nearly 200 years....

The Granuaile Centre provides an audio-visual presentation on the life and times of Grace O'Malley (c. 1530-1600), whose daring exploits and career are part of the folklore of the region. It explores how she achieved control of the area around Clew Bay, her relationship with other Gaelic and anglo-Irsh leaders, her meeting with Queen Elizabeth I, her social life and her commercial, diplomatic and political achievements in what was then a male-dominated society. The Centre also has an exhibitio...

Kiltimagh, the Artisan Village and birthplace of Rafteiri the blind Irish poet, lies in the very heart of the West of Ireland. Much of its bygone charm as a bustling market town is still evident in the architectural outline of the town, the Market Square and the shop facades. Also the trades and crafts of the many artisans once found there are being revived to provide a living, historical experience. Among the many interesting attractions to visit in Kiltimagh are: The Town Museum, the Stat...