Mayo’s Atlantic story to feature in major Irish travel series in the U.S.

Now in its 6th season and carried on public television in 683 markets across 49 states, ‘Ireland with Michael’ has become the most-watched Irish travel series on U.S. public broadcasting, with episodes airing more than 72,000 times since debut.

The show brings Ireland to life through music, history, craft, food, and warm conversations—and Mayo takes a powerful spotlight in Create TV’s upcoming 10-episode marathon beginning Friday, March 13, at 9 P.M. ET (U.S. time).

The marathon includes “The Pirate Queen of Mayo,” an episode rooted in County Mayo’s dramatic Atlantic identity and anchored by host Michael Londra’s own family ties—his grandfather was born in Mayo. Michael travels to Achill Island to follow the trail of Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Mhaol), exploring the legacy of the Pirate Queen against some of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal scenery. The story continues to Westport House, built on the site of her former castle, where Michael meets the house historian—moving from elegant dayrooms to the dungeons—to uncover what life looked like for gentry families in the west of Ireland.

The episode widens into a deeper cultural and personal journey across Mayo: from tales of maritime legend and peat-harvesting on the boggy isle of Achill, to the haunting slow airs of Joanie Madden. Music also features local group Billow Wood performing at Belleek Castle.

Michael then visits the North Mayo Genealogy Centre at Enniscoe, where he meets a local genealogist and former archaeologist who helps him trace his ancestry—an emotional thread that resonates strongly with diaspora audiences during St. Patrick’s season.

The episode concludes at the Mayo/Galway border in Cong—home of The Quiet Man—as Michael explores how the film shaped the village and revisits iconic moments, tying Mayo’s landscape and storytelling to Ireland’s global screen legacy.

Mayo tourism and cultural partners are encouraged to share Mayo-focused content in the lead-up. Please tag Create on all posts, @CreateTV.