Folklore · County Mayo
Folklore and traditions of County Mayo
19 sites with recorded traditions.
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19 sites in County Mayo with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Mayo guide.
Folklore on ErinSites is quoted from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (or, when marked, from visitors). It records what people said or believed about a place; it is not presented as historical fact.
- Cong Abbey Abbey or friary · Cong South, Co. Mayo
St. Feichin is said to have been Abbot for a time.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Rosserk Friary Abbey or friary · Rosserk, Co. Mayo
The Joyce family are said to have been patrons of the community (McDermott 2011, 60; O’Hara 1898, 258).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Strade Priory of the Holy Cross Abbey or friary · Strade, Co. Mayo
This is said to have been done at the request of Stephen’s wife, Basilia, daughter of Myler de Bermingham, who was patron of the Dominicans at Athenry.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Templenagalliaghdoo Abbey or friary · Errew (Tirawley By.), Co. Mayo
The location is associated with St Tigernan, who is said to have established a monastery here in the 6th-century.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Turlough Church Abbey or friary · Turlough (Carra By.), Co. Mayo
It stands on the site of an early medieval monastery, which, according to tradition, was founded by St. Patrick; it was under the jurisdiction of the archbishopric of Armagh until at least the early 13th century (Gwynne and Hadcock 1970, 408).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Aughagower Round Tower Round tower · Aghagower, Co. Mayo
The OS Letters record that in 1838 the round tower was ‘much destroyed, as tradition says by lightening, which blew off the top of it to Teevnish, a distance of about half a mile! where it was to be seen firmly stuck together until a few years ago when the…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Killala Round Tower Round tower · Townplots West, Co. Mayo
The round tower is the principal visible remnant of an important monastic establishment, traditionally said to have been founded here by St. Patrick, who appointed St. Muiredach as the first bishop of Killala (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 85).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Inishglora Island Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site Ancient church · Inis Gluaire, Co. Mayo
It is one of three churches associated with an early medieval monastery traditionally said to have been founded on the island in the 6th century by St Brendan the Navigator: St Brendan’s Oratory (MA016-003006-) is located a few meters to NW and ‘Templenaman…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kilcummin Church Ancient church · Ballinlena, Co. Mayo
This Early Medieval church, named ‘Kilcummin Church’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps, was according to tradition founded by St. Cummin (O’Flanagan 1927, 186 (100)).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Carrickkildavnet Castle Castle · Cill Damhnait, Co. Mayo
The castle is traditionally associated with Grace O’Malley or Granuaile (c. 1530-1603), but the architectural detail suggests that it was built before her time, most likely by an O’Malley ancestor.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Rockfleet Castle Castle · Rockfleet, Co. Mayo
She is believed to have died at Rockfleet in 1603.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - The Monk's Fishing House Castle · Cong South, Co. Mayo
Local tradition points to an area, known locally as Tonacashlan beside abbey (MA120-053001-), as being site of castle.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
- Barnacahoge Cashel Ringfort · Barnacahoge, Co. Mayo
The cashel is known in local tradition as 'Caiseal Claine Meirg'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kilcummin Well Holy well · Ballinlena, Co. Mayo
It was traditionally visited on the last Sunday in July, known as ‘Garland Sunday’ or ‘Domhnach Chrom Dubh’.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Derivla's Well Holy well · Inis Gé Theas, Co. Mayo
According to local information, water from the well is traditionally said to have curative properties for sore eyes (pers. comm. Kea Lavelle, 2021).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberarraght Holy well · Lurga Lower, Co. Mayo
The well is dedicated to St. Attracta, and the traditional pattern day is on 11th August (OS Letters 1838, 375 (154)).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Toberfelabride Holy well · Capnagower, Co. Mayo
Westropp (1911a, 25, also 17) notes that although the well is dedicated to the feast of St Bridget, the pattern day was traditionally held on 15 August.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobermurry Holy well · Rosserk, Co. Mayo
Directly beneath the large plaque, is a smaller inscribed stone (MA022-083002-) which is said to have been at the well before the well house was constructed by Lynott.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobermurry Holy well · Balla, Co. Mayo
The OS Letters (1838) record that that a station was traditionally performed at the well on 15th August, and that an inscribed stone (MA090-024007-) and two penitential stations (MA090-024002-; MA090-024006-) were associated with the well.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact