County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland is known for its dramatic coastline, its fantastic angling and important religious sites which attract over a million pilgrims each year.

Knock is in fact the most visited town in Ireland, attracting over 1.5 million pilgrims each year who come to the Marian Shrine which marks the site where the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist appeared on 21 August 1879. Croagh Patrick is another sacred site in the county: a 765-metre mountain near Westport where it is said St Patrick spent 40 days and nights fasting and banishing demons, dragons and snakes. Each year on the last Sunday in July 25,000 pilgrims climb to the mountain’s summit, from where there is the best view of Clew Bay below, a stunning inlet with 365 islands. Also of note are the Ceide Fields, the world’s most extensive Stone Age monument and the oldest known field systems dating back to 5000BC.

Ballina is the largest town in County May and is a good choice for an angling holiday as there are excellent river, sea and lake fishing opportunities nearby. It is also the location of one of Ireland’s most popular festivals, the Ballina Street and Arts Festival held in July.