Illustrated book ‘Medieval Mayo Churches and Abbeys’ launches

‘Medieval Mayo - Churches and Abbeys’, a beautifully illustrated book on the medieval abbeys and churches of County Mayo, has been launched in Ballintubber Abbey. 

Written by the late Dr Peter Harbison and produced by Mayo County Council Heritage Office, the book presents a selection of Mayo’s Christian monuments created during the thousand years from 600 to 1600 AD. 

Captured in the book is not only the richness of Mayo’s religious medieval monuments, but their beautiful landscape settings.

Speaking at the launch, which was hosted by Professor of Archaeology in University College Dublin, Tadhg O’Keeffe, Councillor Michael Loftus, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council said:“Peter has written a wonderful book, which communicates the value and importance of Mayo’s ecclesiastical and archaeological heritage in a manner that is accessible and speaks to a wide audience”.

Peter Harbison was a historian, editor, author of many books and one of Ireland’s best-known archaeologists. 

Speaking on behalf of the Harbison family, His son, John, said his father would have been ‘delighted’ with the book, especially because he ‘always wanted his last book to be as special as this one is’.

He added: “He would also be very happy that the book was launched in Ballintubber Abbey - such an appropriate location for the launch given the Abbey's long history and standing, but also given the stations of the cross in the abbey, which were carved by Peter's close friend, Imogen Stuart. 

“I would like to thank Mayo County Council, and in particular Deirdre Cunningham, Heritage Officer, for the fantastic partnership to make the book possible. We hope the book will help the continued great work of all the historical, archaeological and heritage societies in County Mayo, that Peter supported so passionately during his lifetime,” he said.

Along with Ballintubber Abbey, other well-known abbeys which feature in the book include Cong, Murrisk, Burrishoole, Moyne and Rosserk, which represent some of the most impressive medieval monastic complexes anywhere in Europe. 

Additionally, medieval sites such as Mayo Abbey, Fallmore and Croagh Patrick, and those with round towers, such as Aghagower, Killala, Turlough and Meelick, are presented in the book are early - Mayo has one of the highest concentrations of round towers anywhere in the country. 

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, called heritage ‘a key driver’ of Mayo’s tourism industry, and said it contributes ‘enormously to our quality of life’.

He concluded: “We hope visitors and locals alike will enjoy this beautiful book, as it brings them on a wonderful journey of discovery through 1000 years of Mayo’s ecclesiastical history.”

The book is available for €25 in local bookshops and from the Mayo Books website.