The Magic of County Mayo

This is the Ireland that too many tourists miss—but shouldn’t.

In charming Westport, a stone bridge arches over the Carrowbeg River. Susanne Neumann/Getty Images

It’s an idyllic image of Ireland—this view that we’re looking at out the enormous windows of the dining room of our hotel.

In the foreground are gently rolling hills. The grass on the hills embraces a broad spectrum of shades of green.

In the distance, rising sharply from the wide green landscape, is a stunning mountain. It’s a very special mountain for the Irish: Croagh Patrick, a sacred link to Saint Patrick.