MAYO, a county of Ireland, in the province of Con-
naught, having Sligo and the sea on the north; Roscommon on the south, Leitrim and Roscommon on the east, and the Atlantic ocean on the west. It contains 724,640 Irish plantation acres, 68 parishes, and 140,000 inhabitants. It gives title of earl to the family of Bourke. This county takes its name from an ancient city, built in 664; the ruins of the cathedral, and some traces of the stone walls which encompassed the city, yet remain on the plains of Mayo. It was a university, founded for the education of such of the Saxon youths as were converted to the Christian faith: it was situated a little to the south of Lough Conn; and is to this day frequently called Mayo of the Saxons, being celebrated for giving education to Alfred the Great, king of England. As this town has gone to decay, Balinroke is reckoned the chief town. The county by the sea is mountainous; but inland has good pastures, lakes, and rivers. It is about 62 miles long, and 32 broad. Castlebar is the assizes town.— Mayo was formerly a bishop's see, which is now united to TUAM.