Celebrations of Mayo’s French connection, a Halloween spookfest and an event dedicated to the pirate queen Grace O’Malley are amongst the 15 local festivals and events that have won funding support through Fáilte Ireland this year.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, announced the funding of some €40,000 for the Mayo festivals with the grants ranging from €500 to €2,000.
Emphasising the importance of such assistance, Minister Ring said: “The funding announced this week will allow local communities in Mayo to boost their appeal to overseas visitors and ensure that all who visit here will be able to experience everything from culture and sport, to food and fun. As a Mayoman, I am all too well aware that these events are the lifeblood of tourism for many parishes in this county.”
He continued: “I was very proud to help develop the Wild Atlantic Way for Mayo and it is now vital that we maximise this asset; festivals like these will give us a chance to provide compelling reasons for tourists to visit places such as Westport, Achill, Erris, and Ballina where they can enjoy a true authentic Irish welcome.”
The festivals and events to receive funding are; Ballina Salmon Festival, Erris Beo Festival, Mayo International Choral Festival, Westport Arts Festival, Westport Music Festival, Ballina Food Fleadh, French Mayo Festival, Samhain Ambhainn - Ballina Halloween Festival, Achill Half Marathon and 10k, Achill Island Battle for the Lake, Ballina Quay Regatta, Scoil Acla Summer School, Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Geesala Festival, and the Pirate Queen Festival.
