County Mayo County Mayo (; ga, Contae Mhaigh Eo, meaning "Plain of the Taxus baccata, yew trees") is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Conn ...

is a county in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, it is the third-largest in Ireland and the second-largest in the province of

Connacht Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Delbhn ...

. Mayo has produced many noted artists, entertainers, politicians and businesspeople. Also included are people affiliated with Mayo before the creation of the Republic of Ireland.

List of people from County Mayo

Writers, composers and philosophers

Ulick Bourke Ulick Joseph Bourke (also known by his name in Irish, ''Uileog de Búrca''; ; ; 29 December 1829 – 22 November 1887) was an Irish scholar and writer who founded the Gaelic Union, which later developed into the Gaelic League (or ''Conradh na G ...

(1829–1887) – Scholar and founder of the

Gaelic Union (; historically known in English as the Gaelic League) is a social and cultural organisation which promotes the Irish language in Ireland and worldwide. The organisation was founded in 1893 with Douglas Hyde as its first president, when it emer ...

Louis Brennan Louis Brennan (28 January 1852 – 17 January 1932) was an Irish-Australian mechanical engineer and inventor. Biography Brennan was born in Castlebar, Ireland, and moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1861 with his parents. He started his caree ...

(1852–1932) – Invented the brennan torpedo * Richard Douthwaite (1942–2011) – Economist, ecologist, campaigner and writer *

Paul Durcan Paul Durcan (born 16 October 1944) is a contemporary Irish poet. Early life Durcan was born and grew up in Dublin and in Turlough, County Mayo. His father, John, was a barrister and circuit court judge; father and son had a difficult and forma ...

(born 1944) – Poet *

Áine Greaney Áine Greaney (born c. 1962), is a writer and editor from Ireland, based in Boston. Biography Áine Greaney was raised on a farm in County Mayo. She became a primary school teacher but in 1986 she gave that up and moved to the United Sta ...

(born circa 1962) – Writer and editor *

George A. Birmingham George A. Birmingham was the pen name of James Owen Hannay (16 July 1865 – 2 February 1950), Irish clergyman and prolific novelist.Taylor, Brian (1995). ''The Life and Writings of James Owen Hannay (George Birmingham) 1865-1950.'' (Studies ...

(1865–1950) – Author (''

The Seething Pot ''The Seething Pot'' is a ''roman à clef'' written by George A. Birmingham, which negatively portrays various individuals and organizations of County Mayo. It was first published in 1905. The novel has been called an "excellent study of life in ...

'' 1905), (''Hyacinth'', 1906) * John Healy (1930–1991) – Author and journalist * Bernard O'Hara (born circa 1945) – Historian and author *

Sally Rooney Sally Rooney (born 20 February 1991) is an Irish author and screenwriter. She has published three novels: ''Conversations with Friends'' (2017), ''Normal People'' (2018), and ''Beautiful World, Where Are You'' (2021). ''Normal People'' was adapt ...

(born 1991) – Author, screenwriter, ''

Conversations with Friends ''Conversations with Friends'' is the 2017 debut novel by the Irish author Sally Rooney, about two young women who become involved with an older couple in Dublin's literary scene. The novel was published by Faber and Faber and received critical ...

'' (2017) and ''

Normal People ''Normal People'' is a 2018 novel by the Irish author Sally Rooney. ''Normal People'' is Rooney's second novel, published after ''Conversations with Friends'' (2017). It was first published by Faber & Faber on 30 August 2018. The book became a b ...

'' (2018)

Entertainers

* Adrian Flannelly (b. 1942), radio network host since 1970. *

Karen Koster Karen Koster (born 9 April 1981) is an Irish-Dutch television presenter, known for her work on ''Xposé'' and ''Ireland AM''. Education She graduated from Trinity College Dublin, in 2003 with a degree in English Literature and French. Career I ...

(b. 1981), presenter for Virgin Media Television. *

Joseph Maher Joseph Sylvester Maher (29 December 1933 – 17 July 1998) was an Irish actor, playwright, and occasionally theatre director. He was best known for his roles in the comedies of Joe Orton. He received three Tony Award nominations for his roles in ...

(1933–1998), character actor, playwright and director *

Margaret Burke Sheridan Margaret Burke Sheridan (15 October 1889 – 16 April 1958) was an Irish people, Irish opera singer. Born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, she was known as ''Maggie from Mayo'' and is regarded as Ireland's second prima donna, after Catherine H ...

(1889–1958), opera singer. *

Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (; born 25 October 1983) is an Irish academic, broadcaster and musician. She also won the Rose of Tralee contest in 2005. Life Early life Ní Shúilleabháin is a native of Carnacon near Ballyglass, County Mayo. ...

(b, 1983), winner of the 2005

Rose of Tralee (The) Rose of Tralee may refer to: * Rose of Tralee (festival) The Rose of Tralee International Festival is an international event which is celebrated among Irish diaspora, Irish communities all over the world. The festival, held annually in ...

contest. She is first Rose from County Mayo. *

Louis Walsh Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish music manager and television personality. He has managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone, Jedward and Westlife, four of Ireland's most successful pop acts in the 1990s and 2000s. He later bec ...

(b. 1952), entertainment manager and judge on British television talent show

The X Factor ''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003 ...

and

Ireland's Got Talent ''Ireland's Got Talent'' is the Irish version of the international ''Got Talent'' franchise. The series launched on 3 February 2018 on Virgin Media One (formerly known as "TV3") and was hosted by Lucy Kennedy, accompanied by a sister show entit ...

Politicians and leaders

Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo, (; ; 21 February 1822 – 8 February 1872) styled Lord Naas (; ) from 1842 to 1867 and Lord Mayo in India, was a British statesman and prominent member of the British Conservative Party who serve ...

(1822–1872) –

Viceroy of India The Governor-General of India (1773–1950, from 1858 to 1947 the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, commonly shortened to Viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom and after Indian independence in 19 ...

(1869–1872). *

Dara Calleary Dara Calleary (born 10 May 1973) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation since August 2022. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since th ...

– Fianna Fáil politician *

Seán Calleary Seán Calleary (27 October 1931 – 4 June 2018) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Minister of State (Ireland), Minister of State from 1979 to 1981, from October to December 1982, and from 1987 to 1992. He served as a Teachta ...

(1931–2018) – Fianna Fáil politician *

Lucinda Creighton Lucinda Creighton (born 20 January 1980) is an Irish businesswoman and former politician, who served as Minister of State for European Affairs from 2011 to 2013. She was leader of Renua from its March 2015 foundation until May 2016, and served a ...

– former politician, leader and founder of

Renua Ireland Renua Ireland, commonly called Renua, is a fringe political party in Ireland. The party was launched on 13 March 2015, with former Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton as founding leader. Prior to its launch it had used the slogan Reboot Ireland. Th ...

(2015–2016). *

Lisa Chambers Lisa Chambers (born 24 August 1986) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, and former barrister who has served as Leader of the Seanad since December 2022. She served as deputy leader of the Seanad from 2020 to 2022, and as Leader of Fianna Fáil ...

–

Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...

politician. *

Rose Conway-Walsh Rose Conway-Walsh ( née Conway) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election. She previously served as a Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad and a Senator for th ...

Jerry Cowley Jerry Cowley (born 11 November 1952) is an Irish barrister, medical doctor and politician. Originally from Ballina, he lives in Mulranny, County Mayo. He was an Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency after being elected to D ...

– barrister, medical doctor and politician. *

Michael Davitt Michael Davitt (25 March 184630 May 1906) was an Irish republican activist for a variety of causes, especially Home Rule and land reform. Following an eviction when he was four years old, Davitt's family migrated to England. He began his caree ...

(1846–1906) –

Irish republican Irish republicanism ( ga, poblachtánachas Éireannach) is the political movement for the unity and independence of Ireland under a republic. Irish republicans view British rule in any part of Ireland as inherently illegitimate. The develop ...

, agrarian campaigner,

labour leader The ''Labour Leader'' was a British socialist newspaper published for almost one hundred years. It was later renamed ''New Leader'' and ''Socialist Leader'', before finally taking the name ''Labour Leader'' again. 19th century The origins of the ...

Home Rule Home rule is government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens. It is thus the power of a part (administrative division) of a state or an external dependent country to exercise such of the state's powers of governance wit ...

politician and Member of Parliament (MP) who founded the

Irish National Land League The Irish National Land League (Irish: ''Conradh na Talún'') was an Irish political organisation of the late 19th century which sought to help poor tenant farmers. Its primary aim was to abolish landlordism in Ireland and enable tenant farmer ...

. The bridge to

Achill Achill Island (; ga, Acaill, Oileán Acla) in County Mayo is the largest of the Irish isles, and is situated off the west coast of Ireland. It has a population of 2,594. Its area is . Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Brid ...

is named after him as well as one of Castlebar's local secondary schools, ( Davitt College). *

Bernard Durkan Bernard J. Durkan (born 26 March 1945) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kildare North constituency since 1997, and previously from 1982 to 1997 and 1981 to 1982 for the Kildare constituency. He previous ...

Seán Flanagan Seán Flanagan (26 January 1922 – 5 February 1993) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and Gaelic footballer. He served as Minister for Health from 1966 to 1969, Minister for Lands from 1969 to 1973 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minist ...

(1922–1993) –

politician and

Gaelic football Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...

er. Served as

Minister for Health A health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services. Some governments have separate ministers for mental health. Count ...

(1966–1969) and Minister for Lands (1969–1973). *

Pádraig Flynn Pádraig Flynn (born 9 May 1939) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as European Commissioner for Social Affairs from 1993 to 1999, Minister for Industry and Commerce and Minister for Justice from 1992 to 1993, Minister for th ...

– former

politician and

Minister Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...

. *

Beverley Flynn Beverley Flynn (born 9 June 1966) is an Irish retired Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 1997 to 2011. Early life and political career She is the daughter of the former Fianna Fáil minister and ...

– former

politician *

Denis Gallagher Denis Gallagher (23 November 1922 – 3 November 2001) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht on two occasions. Early life Denis Gallagher was born in Currane, by Clew Bay, facing Achill Island, County M ...

Charles Haughey Charles James Haughey (; 16 September 1925 – 13 June 2006) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach on three occasions – 1979 to 1981, March to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from ...

(1925–2006) – former

Taoiseach The Taoiseach is the head of government, or prime minister, of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The office is appointed by the president of Ireland upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland's national legisl ...

of Ireland. * Jim Higgins (born 1945) - former Fine Gael politician *

Enda Kenny Enda Kenny (born 24 April 1951) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017, Leader of Fine Gael from 2002 to 2017, Minister for Defence from May to July 2014 and 2016 to 2017, Leader of the Opposition from ...

– politician, leader of

Fine Gael Fine Gael (, ; English: "Family (or Tribe) of the Irish") is a liberal-conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Ireland. Fine Gael is currently the third-largest party in the Republic of Ireland in terms of members of Dáil � ...

(2002–2017), and

(2011–2017). *

Tom Maguire Tom Maguire (28 March 1892 – 5 July 1993) was an Irish republican who held the rank of commandant-general in the Western Command of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and led the South Mayo flying column. Early life Tom Maguire was born 28 Mar ...

- Veteran of the Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War. TD for South Mayo in the 1920s, Vice President of Sinn Féin in the 1930s. * Michelle Mulherin *

Catherine Noone Catherine Anna Noone (born 24 June 1976) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. She served as a Senator on the Industrial and Commercial Panel from April 2011 to March 2020. Prior to her election to the Seanad she was a member of Dublin City ...

William O'Dwyer William O'Dwyer (July 11, 1890November 24, 1964) was an Irish-American politician and diplomat who served as the 100th Mayor of New York City, holding that office from 1946 to 1950. Life and career O'Dwyer was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ire ...

(1890– 1964) – 100th mayor of

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

(1946–1950). *

Paul O'Dwyer Peter Paul O'Dwyer (June 29, 1907 – June 23, 1998) was an Irish-born American politician and civil rights lawyer who served as President of the New York City Council during 1974–1977. He was the younger brother of Mayor William O'Dwyer, and t ...

(1907–1998) – President of

New York City Council The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of New York City. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five Borough (New York City), boroughs. The council serves as a check against the Mayor of New York City, mayor in a may ...

, prominent

human rights attorney, supporter of Irish nationalism, and defender of several Irishmen from deportation, including "The Fort Worth Five" and Vincent Conlon. *

John O'Mahony John Francis O'Mahony (1815 – 7 February 1877) was a Gaels, Gaelic scholar and the founding member of the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States, sister organisation to the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Despite coming from a reasonably weal ...

Marie-Louise O'Donnell Marie-Louise O'Donnell (born 5 September 1952) is an Irish academic, and later broadcaster and politician, who served as a Senator from 2011 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. She played a key role in the arts at Dublin City Unive ...

Pat Rabbitte Pat Rabbitte (born 18 May 1949) is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 2002 to 2007 and a Minister of State from 199 ...

– former leader of the Labour Party. *

Michael Ring Michael Ring (born 24 December 1953) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since 1997, and previously from 1994 to 1997 for the Mayo West constituency. He served as Minister for Rural and C ...

– Fine Gael politician, inaugural

Minister for Rural and Community Development The Minister for Rural and Community Development (Irish: ''An tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail'') is a senior minister in the Government of Ireland and leads the Department of Rural and Community Development. The current Minister for Rural ...

(2017–2020). *

Mary Robinson Mary Therese Winifred Robinson ( ga, Máire Mhic Róibín; ; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish politician who was the 7th president of Ireland, serving from December 1990 to September 1997, the first woman to hold this office. Prior to her electi ...

– first female

President of Ireland The president of Ireland ( ga, Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The president holds office for seven years, and can ...

(1990–1997), and

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...

High Commissioner for

Human rights Human rights are Morality, moral principles or Social norm, normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for ce ...

. *

P. J. Ruttledge Patrick Joseph Ruttledge (1 January 1892 – 8 May 1952) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Health (Ireland), Minister for Local Government and Public Health from 1939 to 1941, Minister for Justice (Ireland), Ministe ...

- Founding Member of

, Minister for Justice during the 1930s. *

William Joyce Sewell William Joyce Sewell (December 6, 1835 – December 27, 1901) was an Irish-American Republican Party politician, merchant, and military officer who served as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey for two non-consecutive terms from 1881 to 1887 an ...

– Unionist colonel during

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

and US senator for

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

. *

John Solon John Solon (March 11, 1842June 23, 1921) was an Irish American immigrant, farmer, and Democratic politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing southern Dodge County during the 1872 session. Biography Solon was b ...

(d.1921) – member of the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

. *

Emmet Stagg Emmet Stagg (born 1 October 1944) is an Irish former Labour Party politician who served as Labour Party Chief Whip from 2007 to 2016, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications from 1994 to 1997 and Minister ...

Myles Staunton Myles Staunton (24 September 1935 – 22 June 2011) was an Irish Fine Gael politician and businessman from Westport, County Mayo, Westport, County Mayo. He first stood for election at the 1969 Irish general election, 1969 general election for t ...

* Thomas Thornton – member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Soldiers

Admiral William Brown "Admiral William Brown" is a song written and first performed by the Wolfe Tones in 1982, the year of the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The song recounts the biography of Irish-Argentine admiral William Brown (1777–185 ...

(1777–1857) – founder of the

Argentine Navy The Argentine Navy (ARA; es, Armada de la República Argentina). This forms the basis for the navy's ship prefix "ARA". is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the ...

. *

William M. Browne William Montague Browne (July 7, 1823 – April 28, 1883) was a prominent Confederate politician and American newsman. During the American Civil War, he served as Acting Secretary of State for the Confederacy in 1862 and as a temporary br ...

- Commander and Statesman in the

Confederate States of America The Confederate States of America (CSA), commonly referred to as the Confederate States or the Confederacy was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the Southern United States that existed from February 8, 1861, to May 9, 1865. The Confeder ...

Frank Durkan Frank Durkan (13 August 1930 – 16 November 2006) was an Irish-American attorney best known for having represented numerous members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), including avowed IRA gun-runner George Harrison, who stood trial ...

(1930–2006) – Irish–American human rights attorney best known for having represented numerous members of the

Provisional Irish Republican Army The Irish Republican Army (IRA; ), also known as the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and informally as the Provos, was an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland, facilitate Irish reun ...

(IRA). * Mike Flanagan - Fought with the British Army during World War II before defecting to the Israeli Defence Forces in 1948, where he was a founder of the Israeli Armored Corps *

Flidais Flidas or Flidais (modern spelling: Fliodhas, Fliodhais) is a female figure in Irish Mythology, known by the epithet ''Foltchaín'' ("beautiful hair"). She is believed to have been a goddess of cattle and fertility. Mythology Flidas is mentioned ...

– the heroine of the

Ulster Cycle The Ulster Cycle ( ga, an Rúraíocht), formerly known as the Red Branch Cycle, is a body of medieval Irish heroic legends and sagas of the Ulaid. It is set far in the past, in what is now eastern Ulster and northern Leinster, particularly coun ...

Erris Erris is a barony in northwestern County Mayo in Ireland consisting of over , much of which is mountainous blanket bog. It has extensive sea coasts along its west and north boundaries. The main towns are Belmullet and Bangor Erris. The name Er ...

legend of the

Táin Bó Flidhais ''Táin Bó Flidhais'', also known as the ''Mayo Táin'', is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is ''Táin Bó Cúailnge''. ' ...

. * Michael Gaughan (1949–1974) – IRA Volunteer. *

Philip Gaughan Philip Gaughan (March 17, 1865 – December 31, 1913) was a sergeant (Originally an infantry worker) serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery. Biography Gaughan was bo ...

(1865–1913) – first Irish-American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor during the

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...

. *

John Hennen John Hennen FRSE (24 April 1779 – 3 November 1828) was an Irish-born military surgeon and author of the acclaimed medical textbook ''The Principles of Military Surgery''. Life He was born on 24 April 1779 in Castlebar, County Mayo in Ireland, ...

–

FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". This soci ...

military surgeon. *

Gráinne O'Malley Grace O'Malley ( – c. 1603), also known as Gráinne O'Malley ( ga, Gráinne Ní Mháille, ), was the head of the Ó Máille dynasty in the west of Ireland, and the daughter of Eóghan Dubhdara Ó Máille. In Irish folklore she is commonly k ...

– 16th-century pirate queen and chieftain of the clan O’Malley, also known as Granuaile. *

Ernie O'Malley Ernest Bernard Malley ( ga, Earnán Ó Máille; 26 May 1897 – 25 March 1957) was an IRA officer during the Irish War of Independence. Subsequently, he became assistant chief of staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA during the Irish Civil War. O'Malley ...

(1897–1957), prominent officer in the

Irish Republican Army The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a name used by various paramilitary organisations in Ireland throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Organisations by this name have been dedicated to irredentism through Irish republicanism, the belief tha ...

during the

Irish War of Independence The Irish War of Independence () or Anglo-Irish War was a guerrilla war fought in Ireland from 1919 to 1921 between the Irish Republican Army (IRA, the army of the Irish Republic) and British forces: the British Army, along with the quasi-mil ...

and on the anti-

Treaty A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between actors in international law. It is usually made by and between sovereign states, but can include international organizations An international organization or international o ...

side in the

Irish Civil War The Irish Civil War ( ga, Cogadh Cathartha na hÉireann; 28 June 1922 – 24 May 1923) was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United ...

; also a writer. * Frank Stagg (1942–1976) – Member of the Irish Republican Army who went on a Hunger strike. *

Mark Mellett Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, DSM ( ga, Marcus Ó Méalóid; born 4 November 1958), is a retired Irish Naval Service admiral and was Chief of Staff of Ireland's Defence Forces from September 2015 until September 2021. Military career Mark Me ...

– current

Chief of Staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supporti ...

of the

Irish Defence Forces The Defence Forces ( ga, Fórsaí Cosanta, officially styled ) derives its origins from the Irish Volunteers. Whilst the Irish for ''Defence Forces'' is , as Ó Cearúil (1999) points out, the Defence Forces are officially styled . is used in ...

John MacBride John MacBride (sometimes written John McBride; ga, Seán Mac Giolla Bhríde; 7 May 1868 – 5 May 1916) was an Irish republican and military leader. He was executed by the British government for his participation in the 1916 Easter Ris ...

- (1868 – 1916) Irish republican and military leader executed by the British for his participation in the 1916 Irish

Easter Rising The Easter Rising ( ga, Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the a ...

Patrick McHale Patrick McHale Victoria Cross, VC ( ga, Pádraig Mac Céile; 1826 – 26 October 1866) was born in Killala, County Mayo and was an Ireland, Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the fa ...

- Soldier in the British Army and recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...

. *

Maurice George Moore Maurice George Moore, (10 August 1854 – 8 September 1939) was an Irish author, soldier and politician. Early life Moore was the second of four sons born to George Henry Moore of Moore Hall, County Mayo, and Mary Blake of Ballinafad, County ...

- Served with the

Connaught Rangers The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") was an Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army formed by the amalgamation of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) (which formed the ''1st Battalion'') and the 94th Regiment of Foot (which ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

during the

Xhosa Wars The Xhosa Wars (also known as the Cape Frontier Wars or the Kaffir Wars) were a series of nine wars (from 1779 to 1879) between the Xhosa people, Xhosa Kingdom and the British Empire as well as Trekboers in what is now the Eastern Cape in Sout ...

, the

Anglo-Zulu War The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Following the passing of the British North America Act of 1867 forming a federation in Canada, Lord Carnarvon thought that a similar political effort, coupl ...

and the

Second Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...

. Later denounced British actions in South Africa and became an Irish Nationalist. Served as a

senator.

Sport

* Chris Barrett, Gaelic footballer *

Pádraig Carney Pádraig Carney (1928 – 9 June 2019) was a Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-forward for the senior Mayo county team. He was one of the last two living players from the winning 1951 Mayo team, the other being Paddy Prendergast. C ...

(1928–2019),

er, known as the "Flying Doctor". * Ryan Connolly (born 1992) – Association footballer (

Sligo Rovers Sligo Rovers Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Ruagairí Shligigh) is an Irish professional football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club is based in Sligo in the west of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 ...

Galway United Galway United Football Club (Irish language, Irish: ''Cumann Peile Ghaillimh Aontaithe'') is an List of association football clubs in the Republic of Ireland, Irish association football club based in Galway. They play in the League of Ireland Fi ...

Finn Harps Finn Harps Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Chláirsigh na Finne) are an Irish football club that play in the First Division of the League of Ireland, as of 2023. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. However, it was te ...

) * David Clarke, Gaelic footballer *

Alan Dillon Alan Dillon (born 28 September 1982) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo (Dáil constituency), Mayo constituency since the 2020 Irish general election, 2020 general election. Prior to entering politic ...

(born 1982) –Gaelic footballer for

Mayo Mayo often refers to: * Mayonnaise, often shortened to "mayo" * Mayo Clinic, a medical center in Rochester, Minnesota, United States Mayo may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Mayo Peak, Marie Byrd Land Australia * Division of Mayo, an Aust ...

(2003–2017). He is also a TD for the Mayo constituency since 2020. *

Sinead Diver Sinead Diver ( , born 17 February 1977) is an Australian Long-distance running, long-distance runner. Biography Diver was born and raised in County Mayo in Belmullet on the western coast of Ireland. She attended a conservative Catholic Chu ...

(born 1977) - naturalised Australian long-distance runner *

Jason Doherty Jason Doherty (born 21 November 1989) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for Burrishoole and the Mayo county team. He started at centre forward in the 2012 All-Ireland Final which Mayo lost by 0-13 to 2-11 against Donegal. He studied at NUI G ...

(born 1989) - three time

Connacht Senior Football Championship The Connacht Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition for the senior county teams of Connacht GAA. All of the counties of Connacht participate in the championship, as well as counties London and New York. The winning ...

-winning

Gaelic footballer Gaelic football ( ga, Peil Ghaelach; short name '), commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA or Football is an Irish team sport. It is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by kic ...

for

. *

Ger Feeney Ger Feeney ( 1954 – 10 October 2010) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for the Mayo county team. Personal life Feeney was a native of Cortoon, Ballintubber, and studied at Ballinafad College. He was a highly regarded GAA player in th ...

(c. 1954–2010) –

for

. *

Richie Feeney Richie Feeney is a former Gaelic footballer who played for the Mayo county team. A Right half back in the Mayo senior team, Feeney began playing with Castlebar Mitchels. He is the brother of fellow-player Alan Feeney, He is a son of the la ...

–

for

. * Deirdre Gallagher (born 1974) - Olympic

race walker Racewalking, or race walking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times. Referee, Race judges careful ...

* Ciaran Kelly – footballer (

). *

Tommy Langan Thomas Langan (23 September 1921 – 22 September 1974) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-forward and as a full-forward for the senior Mayo county team. He was selected at full-forward on the Football Team of the Millenniu ...

(1921–1974) –

er, full-forward. *

Ciarán McDonald Ciarán McDonald (born 11 January 1975) is a Gaelic footballer and coach who formerly played at senior level for the Mayo county team, and still plays his club football for Crossmolina Deel Rovers. Coaching McDonald served as coach–selecto ...

– Gaelic football player. *

John McDonnell John Martin McDonnell (born 8 September 1951) is a British politician who served as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2015 to 2020. A member of the Labour Party, he has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Hayes and Harlington since 1997. ...

– athletics coach. He has won more national championships (42) than any coach in any sport in the history of American collegiate athletics. *

Kevin McLoughlin Kevin McLoughlin (born 1988) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for Knockmore and the Mayo county team. He has started at right half forward in four All-Ireland football finals: the 2012 decider, which Mayo lost by 0-13 to 2-11 against Donegal ...

(born 1988) -

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...

-winning

for

. *

Andy Moran Andy Moran (born 2 November 1983) is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player for Ballaghaderreen and the Mayo county team. He made his 150th league and championship appearance for Mayo in June 2017, his 13th season. Playing care ...

(born 1983) - two-time All-Star

for

. *

Ray Moylette Raymond Peter Moylette (born 11 April 1990), sometimes spelled Moylett, is an Irish professional boxer. As an amateur he represented Ireland, winning gold medals at the 2008 Youth World Championships and 2011 European Championships. Amateu ...

– professional boxer. *

Cillian O'Connor Cillian O'Connor (born 1992) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Ballintubber and the Mayo county team. O'Connor is the leading all-time top scorer in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Career O'Connor made his Ballintub ...

–

for

. * Diarmuid O'Connor – Gaelic footballer for

. * Aidan O'Shea –

for

. * Nicholas Quinn –

Swimmer Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water (e.g., in a sea or lake). Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic ...

, competed at the

2016 Summer Olympics The 2016 Summer Olympics ( pt, Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de 2016), officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad ( pt, Jogos da XXXI Olimpíada) and also known as Rio 2016, was an international multi-sport event held from 5 to 21 August 20 ...

. *

Martin Sheridan Martin John Sheridan (March 28, 1881 – March 27, 1918) was a three time Olympic Games gold medallist. He was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland, and died in St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the day before his 37th birthday ...

(1881–1918) – five-time Olympic gold medalist, with a total of nine Olympic medals. *

Cora Staunton Cora Staunton (born 13 December 1981) is an Irish sportswoman. She is best known as a ladies' Gaelic footballer, winning four All-Irelands and three Ladies' National Football League titles with Mayo. She has also been an All Star on eleven o ...

, Gaelic footballer for

(1995–present), All-Ireland winner (1999–2000, 2002–2003), All Star winner (2000–2002, 2004, 2007–2009, 2012–2013, 2015, 2017),

association footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby ...

, rugby player and

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an oval field, often a modified cricket ground. Points are scored by k ...

er,

Greater Western Sydney Giants The Greater Western Sydney Giants (officially the Greater Western Sydney Football Club and colloquially known as the GWS Giants or simply GWS) are a professional Australian rules football team based in Sydney Olympic Park, which represents the ...

(2017–present). * Jimmy Walsh (1885–1962) – outfielder for

MLB Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

team

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

. Won world series in 1916. * Michaela Walsh (born 1998) - Irish indoor champion hammer thrower and shotputter.

Others

* Patrick Browne (1720–1790) – doctor and botanist of

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

. *

Frank Carter Frank Carter may refer to: *Frank Carter (American football) (born 1977), American football player *Frank Carter (diver) (born 1942), British Olympic diver *Frank Carter (murderer) (1881–1927), Irish-born sniper murderer in Omaha, Nebraska *Frank ...

(1881–1927) – Irish–American serial killer. *

Brian Rua U'Cearbhain Brian Rua (c.1648–?) was 17th century "prophet" or Oracle from Erris in County Mayo, Ireland. Papers relating to the life and the prophecies of Brian Rua, known collectively as "''Tarngaireacht Bhriain Ruaidh''" were destroyed, apparently by h ...

– 17th-century prophet from Erris. * Thomas Joseph Commons (born 1950) – police officer. *

Willie Corduff Willie Corduff (born 1953) is an Irish environmental activist from the farming community of Rossport, Kilcommon, Erris. Corduff's parents first arrived in Rossport in 1947, and reclaimed a farm by hand out of bogland. He became a campaigner aga ...

– Winner of

Goldman Environmental Prize The Goldman Environmental Prize is a prize awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists, one from each of the world's six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. ...

2007. *

Micheál de Búrca Micheál de Búrca (31 December 1912 – 9 December 1985), born Michael Bourke, was an Irish artist from Castlebar who was appointed Director of the National College of Art and Design in 1942. He primarily painted landscapes and seascapes usi ...

(1912–1985) – artist. *

Michael Feeney Michael Feeney, MBE, is the founder of the County Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance. An Irish citizen he was awarded the MBE due to his services in promoting British-Irish relations by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony at Buckingham Pa ...

MBE Mbe may refer to: * Mbé, a town in the Republic of the Congo * Mbe Mountains Community Forest, in Nigeria * Mbe language, a language of Nigeria * Mbe' language, language of Cameroon * ''mbe'', ISO 639 code for the extinct Molala language Molal ...

– founder of Mayo Peace Park. *

John MacHale John MacHale ( ir, Seán Mac Éil; 6 March 1789 (or 1791) – 7 November 1881) was the Irish Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, and Irish nationalist. He laboured and wrote to secure Catholic Emancipation, legislative independence, justice for te ...

(1789–1881) – Archbishop of Tuam, Irish independence leader. * Mael Brigte mac Mothlachain (fl. 649) – assassin. *

Niall McGarry Niall McGarry is an Irish entrepreneur who was the owner and founder of JOE.ie and Her.ie, male and female-focused websites in Ireland. Both websites fell under the banner of Maximum Media, the umbrella company founded by McGarry, who owned an ...

– entrepreneur. *

Marquess of Sligo Marquess of Sligo is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1800 for John Browne, 3rd Earl of Altamont. The Marquess holds the subsidiary titles of Baron Mount Eagle, of Westport in the County of Mayo (created 10 September 1760), ...

(Browne). *

Michael Murphy Michael, Mick, or Mike Murphy may refer to: Artists and entertainers * Michael Murphy (actor) (born 1938), American actor * Mike Murphy (musician) (1946–2006), American drummer for the Bee Gees and Chicago * Michael Bryan Murphy, lead singer o ...

– broadcaster, journalist, psychoanalyst. * Michael Neary – current archbishop of Tuam.

References

{{reflist People from County Mayo