By Darlene Carlson

Taoiseach Enda Kenny got an early opportunity to meet his Mayo brethren from all over the world when he attended a major worldwide Mayo convention in May.

Leading figures from Mayo expat communities all over the world descended on the old county for the convention in Westport. ‘Power by Land and Sea – a Future for our People’ was the theme of the world Mayo convention, attracting more 100 overseas delegates from Mayo Associations worldwide May 27-29.

The county has long had an emigration tradition, and the worldwide convention reflects a desire by expats to "give something back" to their native county.

"This is our 11th worldwide convention, and the previous conventions have always had a theme of enterprise and employment. Given Ireland’s economic difficulties in recent times, it is appropriate that this year’s convention should adopt a similar theme," said Brendan Duffy of the Mayo Association Dublin, jointly organizing the event along with the Muintir Mhaigheo Gaillimh (Mayo Association in Galway).

"We are delighted that Mr. Kenny will be one of our guests, and it certainly adds to the status of the event. It is a great source of pride for Mayo people everywhere that we now have a Taoiseach from the county," he said prior to the event.

The convention featured workshops on indigenous and multi-national enterprise in Mayo, and will explore the prospects for energy creation being the key to the county’s future.

President Mary McAleese performed the official opening on Saturday morning, and all workshop sessions on that day were open to the public.

"We want to create discussion and debate on some of the key issues facing the county of Mayo. It is one way we can give something back by prompting public discourse, and hopefully some interesting suggestions will emerge," added Duffy.

About the Mayo Worldwide Convention

· This is the 11th worldwide Mayo Convention

· The first convention was held in 1990 in Westport, Co. Mayo

· Conventions have also been held in Westport, Ballina, Manchester, Buenos Aires, Boston and Philadelphia

Even Grace O'Malley would have come if she received an invitation. The famed Irish pirate queen was born 1530 on Clare Island and died 1603. The O'Malleys were a powerful seafaring family that traded widely and refused to submit to English rule. A fearless leader, Herself O’Malley gained fame on her own as a ship captain and brigand. In 1593, she met with Queen Elizabeth I and was allowed to continue her exploits in Connaught. 

Vera Kelly, a Co. Mayo expatriate of 17 years, is currently living in Chicago. A number of her family members emigrated to the U.S. before she came. She is from Windy Gap, a town 10 miles outside of Castlebar. "I really miss the mountains, wide open spaces and the friendliness of the people," she said with deep affection of her childhood home. 

For tourists to Co. Mayo, Kelly recommended visiting The National Museum of Country Life in Turlough, which covers the years 1850-1950. The museum, open for four or five years, is the only branch outside of Dublin," she said proudly. The facility focuses on are the country’s rural economy, fishing and local history.

Mary McAndrews also has roots in Co. Mayo. In 1883, her great- grandparents packed up her 18-year-old grandfather and his eight siblings and emigrated from Glencastle village near Belmullet to Erin Prairie, outside New Richmond, Wisconsin. 

McAndrews has traveled to Mayo several times, recommending that tourists first drive along the region’s northern coastline. "It is particularly dramatic with one of the most interesting places to see are the Ceide Fields. Co. Mayo is very boggy, holding artifacts dating to the Stone Age.

"Mayo is impressive for its emptiness and its starkness as well as the drama of the coastline," she stated eloquently. "It is really impressive how big and open and empty it is." This extreme landscape is ideal for a "Wild West" in western Ireland just like in America.

The Irish playwright J.M. Synge wrote his Playboy of the Western World based on the exploits of James Lynchehaun in 1895. A notable quote in the play, "there's a great gap between a gallous story and a dirty deed." The protagonist Christy Mahon brags that he killed his father, when actually he only wounded him. A judge ruled at Lynchehaun's trial, "Your crime is murder" for his mutilation of Mrs. Agnes McDonnell, an English woman, and also his employer. Lynchehaun bit off her nose and poked out her right eye while he burned her house to the ground after a disagreement.

Supposedly, after seven years in jail, Mahon fled to the United States where he again goes on trial. The court decided that his crime was political and he wouldn't be extradited. He returned to Achill twice and eventually died in Scotland.

McAndrew said, "I've heard that story. As I say many times if it's true or blarney both are good. I'm not sure if I believe all of that. The Irish are pretty good at telling stories."

Milwaukeean Jean Bills is not an expatriate, but has family on Achill Island, Co. Mayo. "My greatest accomplishment is having four great children," she announced, explaining that she worked full-time and raised them alone. Bills, founder of Celtic Women International, really loves St. Patrick's Day. "My cousin from Achill Island picks shamrocks and mails them to me before every St. Patrick's Day." 

"On St. Patrick's Day, the whole island comes to a halt. Everybody goes out for the parade and the pipe band. They have three pipe bands come together and they all march to one church and then another church. At the first church they gather outside and each band separately plays some tunes and then they go inside and have a mass. 

"The pipers serve in the mass. Then they come outside and get together and play a couple tunes. Then they go marching down the road a good mile or two to the next church and repeat. At the end, everybody goes and fills up the bar. Now, it is the middle of the afternoon, they just drink and have a good time. Eventually, people go home. The bands are still together. Each band marches back to their own village where they play some tunes and then go in their own bar."

"The festivities last all day long. I just think it's just perfect for St. Patrick's Day," said Bills, reminiscing about her previous 29 trips to Ireland.