Our Love Your County series continues today with a focus on the Royal County, home of the seven-time All-Ireland champions.
Sporting Pick: All-Ireland champions, 1996
The Royals have lifted Sam Maguire on no fewer than seven occasions, putting back-to-back wins in the 1988, while their most recent success was a Graham Geraghty inspired victory over Cork in 1999. However, one of their most satisfying wins would have been in 1996, when Mayo took them to a replay in one of the most controversial finals in a long time.
Passions run high during the 1996 All-Ireland replay
Sean Boylan’s side beat the All-Ireland champions Dublin in the Leinster Final and after a comfortable semi-final win over Tyrone, squared off to Mayo in the decider. They were lucky to salvage a draw in a game the Connacht side dominated, getting the bounce of a sideline ball to ensure a replay. The replay is often remembered for the brawl between the teams, but history can look back on one of the strongest sides the county has ever produced with names such as Fay, O’Connell, McGuinness, McDermott, Giles, Dowd and Geraghty.
Visit Newgrange
Built about 3200 BC, this prehistoric monument is about one kilometre of the River Boyne. Build during the Neolithic period, it is older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Considered by many as one of the most important megalithic structures in Europe, it is well worth a visit.
Tayto Park
Tayto’s are a bit of a national pleasure, so the Tayto Park is a bit of a must-see. Lots of wildlife to see and plenty of things to do for all ages, more than 500,000 people visited Tayto Park last year, making it one of the country’s leading visitor attractions.
