Excitement is building in the south Mayo and north Galway regions as the hugely popular Ballinrobe Festival returns after a three-year absence enforced by Covid-19.
This year's festival looks set to match the high standard set by previous iterations, with a wide array of concerts, sports events exhibitions and other attractions to entertain all ages.
The festival will kick off on Tuesday July 19, with a live Race Dance in the Credit Union Pavilion at Ballinrobe Racecourse by the ever-popular Cliona Hagan.
"We are looking forward to running this year's festival after having to cancel the last two years because of Covid-19. The level of support from local business people, volunteers and those who wish to attend the festival is very gratifying. This was evident in the level of community support in our very successful annual bucket collection held in town last Friday" said Monica Horan, festival chairperson.
Among the attractions this year, apart from the opening Cliona Hagan Race Dance, will be concerts by Mundy and The Blizzards. "Before Covid-19, we prioritised bringing top bands to Ballinrobe for the festival and that certainly proved a worthwhile investment. People now expect Ballinrobe to have great gigs and this year's lineup will not disappoint," added Monica.
Throughout the week there will be a teddy bear picnic, a sensory garden for children with additional needs, a festival of walking, monster bingo, a cinema day, a basketball tournament, stand-up paddling on the river, a family fun day, an historical presentation on the history of the old Ballinrobe railway, an ‘old skool’ sports day and much more.
The festival will close on Sunday, July 24, with the crowning of the Queen of the Lakes, who will represent The Lake District area in the coming year.
"Many people plan their holidays around the Ballinrobe Festival and it always proves to be a wonderful chance to meet old friends. Our message to people is to come out and enjoy the festival – we feel everybody appreciates the importance of events like this after the pandemic," concluded Monica.
The 12 young women who will compete for the honour to be Queen of the Lakes 2022 are: Máire Ní Éanacháin (ETI Security ), Seren O'Toole (D Biggins Fashions ), Megan Mulroe (Morley’s Garden Centre ); Erika Flynn (PAYE.ie ), Sadhbh Culhane (Klassy Kuts ), Aoibhín Monaghan (Ballinrobe Waste ), Maisie Farrell (McHugh’s Café ), Hannah Keane (Ballyjennings Stables ), Laura Lydon (Fidelma’s ), Anna Campbell (Tí Bhúrca ), Natasja Merry (P & M McTigue ), and Shauna Tierney (Ballinrobe Golf Club ).
The organisers have thanked St Colman’s Credit Union, Ballinrobe and Claremorris, who are the main festival sponsors and whose support has made this year’s festival possible. Concert sponsors JJ Burke Car Sales, Cummins’ SuperValu, Cummins Homevalue, Supermac’s and Ashford Castle have also been commended for their support.
The three local councillors – Michael Burke, Patsy O’Brien and Damien Ryan – have rowed in with strong backing, and the committee are grateful to Ballinrobe Racecourse, which will host the concerts and the Queen of the Lakes.
The hardworking committee that has restored a festival to Ballinrobe after two years of Covid-19 disruption comprises Monica Horan (chairperson ), Pat Donnellan, Geraldine O’Neill, Richard Burke and Helen O’Shea.
The committee have thanked John and Anne Flannelly of Ballinrobe Racecourse for hosting the concerts and the Queen of the Lakes at their well-appointed venue. A special festival shuttle bus will operate from Ballinrobe Racecourse for the main events at that venue. The bus will stop at Cornmarket, Bowgate Street (Biggins’ Bar ) and Abbey Street (car park ). Special thanks also to Mc Hugh’s Café who provided the food for the recent festival launch.
The key dates (all July ) for your diary are: Tuesday 19 – Race Dance with Cliona Hagan; Friday 22 – Mundy and special guest Lisa Canny, supported by Barney McCabe and band; Saturday 23 – The Blizzards, with local artiste Faraway Martin & band as the special guests; Sunday 24 – Queen of the Lakes, bringing down the curtain on the festival.
The Family Fun Day on Saturday July 23 will feature skateboarding, parkour, hip hop, kayaking and stand-up paddle boating (SUP ) on The Bowers. The ‘Old Skool’ Sports Day on Sunday July 24 is certain to attract young and old with its curious range of competitions from a bygone era.
