County Mayo is situated on the West Coast of Ireland. It is Ireland's third largest county (2,084-sq. km.) and has a population of around 112,000 people. Rich in History, laden in panoramic scenery Mayo also offers a huge range of activities such as fishing, golf, horse riding, hill walking, pony trekking, water sports and a host of other activities. So whether you want a relaxing break taking in beautiful stretches of Ireland or a fun filled action packed break or a mixture of both then Mayo is definitely the place for you. Traditional music is still a big part of modern day Mayo and can be heard in many of the county's pubs. Croagh Patrick, a 2,510ft mountain on which , as legend has it, St Patrick spent the 40 days of Lent in AD 441. It is also here that St. Patrick is said to have rung his bell and banished all the reptiles from Ireland forever. Thousands of pilgrims climb it each July for a mass. Spectacular views can be seen both en route to the peak and from the summit; to the south the Twelve Pins can be seen, and to the north are the majestic drowned drumlins of Clew Bay. Mayo is steeped in history stretching from the Stone Age to the present day. The 'Céide Fields', contains a 1,500 hectare archaeological site, and it is the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world. On followed St. Patrick in 441 AD, the Cross of Cong (1123), the great female pirate "Granuaile" (1500's), the foundation of the County of Mayo in 1570. The "Year of the French" in 1798.County Mayo was one of the hardest hit areas of the Great Famine (1845-51) and many people (estimated to be about 100,000) emigrated to survive while a similar number died in the county. In 1879 one of Mayo's most famous sons, Michael Davitt, founded the Land League and this was also the year of the apparition in Knock. The twentieth century provided numerous other historical events like the opening of the "Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland" at Knock and the opening of the airport, also in Knock.