An estimated 10,000 people descended on Castlebar for day three of the inaugural Heart of Castlebar - Féile Sráide ‘Croí Chaisleán an Bharraigh’ last Saturday. The three-day event provided a massive economic boost to the county town where shoppers were told by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to support their local businesses.
Main Street, Castlebar, was pedestrianised all day Saturday for the free family fun day which provided an explosion of entertainment, ceol, agus craic from 11am.
On Thursday Midwest Radio took centre stage in the heart of downtown Castlebar where it kickstarted the fantastic discounts and shopping promotions. Live music was provided by Patrick Feeney at the outside broadcast unit.
On Friday the new Castle Street Plaza was buzzing with cycling enthusiasts who learned new skills in conjunction with Smart Travel Castlebar, Castlebar Cycling Club, and Gerry Butler, cycling instructor.
Over the course of the event, shoppers had the opportunity to enter a fantastic €1,000 cash prize giveaway. The winning ticket was drawn live on Midwest Radio on Saturday and belonged to Aileen Higgins, originally from Ballymoate and now working and living in Castlebar.
More than 30 stalls displayed food and craft products throughout the day on Main Street where the crowds were entertained by some 15 different acts from musicians, puppet shows, samba and percussion groups, a pipe band, Castlebar Concert Band, traditional musicians, and face painters.
The message from Taoiseach Kenny, who came back to his home town to officially open the Heart of Castlebar festival, was “Take out those hard earned savings, spend a few quid in Castlebar and demonstrate you have hope and you have confidence in our town and the services the people offer around the country.”
The atmosphere all day, and especially during the Taoiseach’s speech, was electric with the businesses of the newly revamped Linenhall Street, Bridge Street, Main Street, Ellison Street, Castle Street, and the Castle Street Plaza working together with great enthusiasm to ensure a highly successful festival.
A series of black and white pictures of Castlebar in days gone by were provided by Mayo County Library which were put up in the windows in the shops showing how the streets have progressed adding character to the day.
Volunteerism was alive and well on the day with locals and businesses alike coming together to ensure everything ran smoothly.
The winner of the hotly contested fancy dress competition, which attracted more than 40 entries, sponsored by All Affairs Hire, was Luke Munnelly, AKA Harry Potter, Coarsepark, Castlebar.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo was involved in organising this festival and members were evident all day Saturday wearing their ‘Labhair Gaeilge Liom’ T-shirts and ensuring that the use of Gaeilge was an integral part of the festival with each stall displaying a cúpla focal on the day.
“Féile Chroí Chaisleán an Bharraigh is just the start of what can be done in Castlebar when the businesses come together, and Gnó Mhaigh Eo were astounded by the positivity towards the use of the Irish language in their business,” said Anna Ní Chárthaigh from Gnó Mhaigh Eo. “Oscailte/Dúnta signs were displayed by the businesses. What was encouraging to discover was the large number of businesses in the heart of Castlebar who had staff who were líofa sa Ghaeilge and happy to provide their service trí Ghaeilge.”
The organising committee would like to thank all stall holders, entertainment providers, the local Gardaí, Order of Malta, Westport Chamber, and Foxford Woollen Mills for the use of their marquees, Baxter Healthcare, the heart of Castlebar traders, Mayo County Council, Mayo Arts Squad, Mayo County Library, Castlebar Town Council, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, and the Visit Castlebar committee for all their hard work and support.
