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| ROSSBEG, COUNTY MAYO.- The hamlet of Rossbeg lies upon an inlet of Clew Bay, a few miles form Newport, in Mayo. It means in Gaelic, "the little peninsula," to distinguish it from many adjacent formations of a kindred character, produced by the workings of the ocean through countless ages. It has a fine beach and is much resorted by the Mayo people of the inland regions, who like a summer outing "by the sad sea waves." The scenery, like all that in the vicinity of Clew Bay, is of a most fascinating aspect, showing almost every diversity of land and water. During Land League times, the notorious high-sheriff Stoney lived in Rossbeg and made life miserable for the adherents of Parnell and Davitt. He got mixed up in an emigration scheme and also ran for parliament. At the polls he received 76 votes, and his emigration entanglement was so serious, that he was obliged to leave the country, much to the relief of the people. In the immediate neighborhood of Rossbeg are the ruins of Burrishoole and Murrisk Abbey and also those of Carrigahowley Castle, once the residence of Grace O'Malley (Graina Uailo) who flourished, half princess, half pirate, in the days of Elizabeth. Mayo is a land of romance and its sons still fondly sing- When I dwelt at home in plenty, and my gold 'Tis a bitter change from those gay days that now did much abound, I'm forced to go, In the company of fair young maids the Spanish And must leave my bones in foreign soil, far ale went round- from my own Mayo! |
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