The inaugural Féile on the Mall was launched in style this week in the county capital. The one-day charity event will see the Mall in Castlebar transformed from its usual serenity into a hive of activity with bungee jumping, live stage music, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and much, much more on Saturday August 30.
Castlebar Community Festival, the local voluntary group behind the event, has been organising the occasion over the past number of months and has promised that the day will have plenty for all the family. All proceeds from the day will go to local charities. The festival's secretary Noel Campbell hopes that the event can be become an annual charity fundraiser and with a concentrated effort from various sectors in Castlebar he believes it could grow into a week or two-week festival.
He said: “We were very fortunate this year in that many groups lent their support including local authorities, Fáilte Ireland, Castlebar Tidy Towns, castlebar.ie, Mayo Civil Defence, MIA, Castlebar Town Band, Mayo Arts Squad, the Gardaí and the local media. Gnó Mhaigh Eo is working with the organising committee to infuse an Irish language aspect into the day. Castlebar Chamber of Commerce are also getting involved with their members taking part in a window display competition that will coincide with the festival and will run for the duration of Riverdance in the TF Royal Theatre.”
Sponsorship cards to take part in the bungee jumping can be obtained from committee member John O'Shaughnessy on 087 289 0533. Féile on the MalL will take place from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday August 30 on the Mall, Castlebar.