Breaffy is the place to be next weekend (August 26, 27 and 28 ) with the inaugural Breaffy Blast Festival set to offer something for everyone.
A collaborative effort between the Breaffy community and the local GAA club, a fun-filled set of events will take place over the course of the weekend.
On Friday in Breaffy House Hotel, The Belle of Breaffy will take place as 12 local girls vie for the sought-after title. Catriona Walsh, Eimear McHale, Shona Tuohy, Shannon Garrett, Aoife Connaughton, Claire O'Brien, Serena Flynn, Michelle Grealis, Kate Dravins, Sandra Kenny, Fiona Naughton and Clodagh Butler are the brave girls putting their heads on the block.
Master of ceremonies for the evening will be well known DJ Dave O’Connor, of i102-104 fame and Dave will undoubtedly keep the girls on their toes. Twelve local lads will act as escorts for the Belles as well and will not escape scot-free either!
Live music will follow from Scale 3 and the night will conclude with a disco set from Dave O’Connor.
The Belle gets under way at 8pm and tickets are very reasonably priced at €10.
Saturday afternoon all of Breaffy are encouraged to make their way to McHale Park where the Breaffy GAA senior men’s footballers take on Ballina Stephenites in the quarter-finals of the Mayo Senior Club Football Championship. That game throws-in at 6.30pm and will hopefully be the highlight of the weekend as Breaffy bid to qualify for the semi-finals of the senior championship for the first time.
Due to the time of the game, the planned golf outing in Balla Golf Club on Saturday afternoon as part of the Blast Festival has been cancelled.
Saturday evening and night will see something very different in Breaffy when the Blast Festival hosts the first barn dance in the area. It will take place in the Breaffy House Sports Hotel, commencing at 8pm. Tickets will be €15 and drink at the dance is very reasonably priced. So, get on your cowboy boots, your Stetson hats and the chequered shirts and you will feel right at home. Music at the barn dance is with The Outlaws with very special guests Na Ciotógaí.
The action is not over yet though as Sunday is a jam-packed day in Breaffy. It commences with a Athletics Association of Ireland approved 10k fun run at 1.30pm for runners, joggers and walkers, male and female, over the age of 14. Anyone wishing to take part can register on the day between 11am and 12.30pm at St John’s NS in Breaffy or register in advance on www.runireland.com Sponsorship cards are available for the nominated charity for the event, Western Alzheimers.
Presentations will take place in the GAA clubhouse at 4pm. Entry is €12 in advance or €15 on the day.
Also on Sunday afternoon there will be a lively and entertaining free family fun day at 3pm at the Breaffy GAA grounds.
The weekend concludes with a very fitting tribute and reunion for the all conquering Breaffy camogie team of the 1960s and 70s.
More than 40 members of those teams have committed to attending the reunion which promises to be a special night of nostalgia in the Breaffy GAA club house at 8pm. All are welcome to attend.
