Although I grew up in Scotland loving the Fitba there as another code in my DNA.
The Gah.
My late father was one of that rare breed, a Mayo hurler.
The Mayo modern experience is inextricably linked with the fortunes of the county football team.
There is no symbol that says Contae Mhaigh Eo quite like that jersey.
I don’t know who came up with the idea, but Mayo Day is mighty as far as this fella is concerned.
Last year I found myself on a high spot in Sligo to wear the green and red.
This weekend I will climb to some appropriate spot in Cloch Cheann Fhaola on the appointed day.
We Mayo folk are all over the planet making our mark.
In times past we were expelled from the home place by eviction and famine.
We gave the world a name for passive resistance.
The Boycott.
When that didn’t work we were forced to face down an empire and their war criminals.
Now, in better times it is mainly ambition and curiosity that creates Mayo exiles, although the county still has huge untapped potential to create opportunities for our young people.
Third wave technologies mean that being perched on the edge of Europe is no longer and economic disadvantage.
Whatever the personal story the county connection is strong and it binds us.
If you’re a Twitter person then @MayoDotIE has a brilliant short video telling the world about the place.
Give them a follow.
Now I’m off down the word mines until Monday.
There’s a manuscript that has to be sent to Madam Editor and she’s not keen on being kept waiting.
Have a great weekend when it comes.
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Great read Phil!!!
I get your story’s to my email automatically and it keeps dropping me for no apparent reason! Is this a bug in the new site your aware of?
Cheers
I think a very loud playing of The Saw Doctors is called for here Phil ! Give it laldy my son. Have a good wan.
A wee reminder for people to visit the Jackie Clarke museum in Ballina… well worth a detour!
Oh the green and red of Mayo
I can see it still
It’s soft and craggy boglands
It’s tall majestic hills
Where the ocean kisses Ireland
and the waves caress its shore
Oh the feelin’ it came over me
Stay forever more, forever more
From its rollin’ coastal waters
I can see Croagh Patrick’s peak
Where one Sunday every summer
The Pilgrims climb the reek
Where Saint Patrick in its solitude
Looks down across Clew Bay
With the ringin’ of his bell
Call the faithful there to pray, there to pray
Oh take me Clare Island
The home of Granuaile
It’s waters harbor fishes
from the herring to the whale
And now I must depart
and reality is plain
May time not pass so slowly
Before I set sail again, set sail again
Oh the green and red of Mayo
I can see it still
It’s soft and craggy boglands
It’s tall majestic hills
Where the ocean kisses Ireland
and the waves caress its shore
Oh the feelin’ it came over me
Stay forever more, forever more
Stay forever more
Oh the green and red of Mayo
Oh the green and red of Mayo
Oh the green and red of Mayo
Oh the green and red of Mayo HH☘
Its either Mayo or Dun Na nGall…..
it can’t be both come 3rd Sunday in September Phil!
Always Mayo…
Booooo! Come what may though I would gladly shake your and your fellow Mayoans(?) hand after the game as we all head to the pub.
Enjoy your day and indeed your weekend Phil. Best wishes from this Donegal bhoy exiled in New Jersey USA.
GRMA Jackie
Up Mayo………..Maigheo Abù