The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition

The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition is the culmination of research undertaken by the community for the community. Housed in the Famine church, at the centre of the ancient settlement at Mayo Abbey, visitors to the exhibition can undertake a historical journey and discover the roots of this unique Early Christian Anglo-Saxon site which gave its name to County Mayo.

Located in an area formally known as The Plain of the Trees, the now peaceful village of Mayo Abbey embraces the memory of a time, over a 1000 years ago, when the Early Christian monastery here became renowned throughout Europe as a centre of devotion and learning. St. Colman founded the monastery, which became known as Mayo of the Saxons, c. AD 668. Surviving twelve centuries of glory and turbulence, the ecclesiastic structures at Mayo Abbey finally fell into such a state of disrepair that, at the height of the Famine, a new church was built from the stones of the Augustinian Abbey. Mayo Abbey's ancient reputation as a center of learning has once more become the reality in this modern, rural community. Through the application of the disciplines of Archaeology,History, Folklore, Geophysics and Botany the secrets of our past are being painstakingly revealed and recorded.

Exhibition Details
  • The results of this ongoing research are presented in a series of twenty story boards in the Famine Church; in addition there will be a regular showing of a video entitled: "Mayo Abbey - Building a Future from the Past"
  • Representing the wider community, children from National Schools throughout the county have interpreted the story of Mayo Abbey, through the medium of art, on a 64 foot long mural that charts its passage through time.
  • To strengthen and promote Mayo Abbey as a centre of learning a series of workshops for beginners will run in conjunction with the Exhibition. Based broadly on a monastic theme, these workshops aim to demonstrate the varied and traditional skills which would have been practiced and perfected by the monks of the monastery.

Also included in The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition :

  • "The Dogs of Our Forefathers" An exhibition of paintings by renowned animal portrait artist Louisa Nally, which is open to the public as part of the exhibition program during the months of July and August, on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2 - 4 p.m..
  • Craft & Coffee shop The Craft & Coffee shop is open for the duration of the Exhibition, offering for sale a wide variety of handcrafted goods. Freshly baked produce & refreshments will be available.
  • Guided tours will also be available to schools, colleges and groups.

OPENING TIMES

The Exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, July 11th. through to and including Sunday, August 23rd.

Monday to Friday : 10 am - 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Open August Bank Holiday Weekend: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

ADMISSION

£2.00 Per Person; £4.50 for per Family Group; Group Rates available on request

For further information on the exhibition and workshops contact:

The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition, The Heritage Project, Abbey Park, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris, County Mayo.

Tel/Fax ++353 (0)94 65555

e-mail: mayoabby@iol.ie

It is our hope that visitors to The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition and participants in the workshops will enjoy and appreciate the enduring spirit of the people of Mayo Abbey, past and present in an enjoyable, practical and educational way.

When in County Mayo this Summer be sure to visit

The Spirit of Mayo Abbey Exhibition