Saturday April 30 sees the second annual International Mayo Day. Communities from all over the county, the country and indeed the world will fly the green and red that day in honour of their “Mayoness” and show all that is great about their progressive, can-do county.
In Castlebar, there will be music on the streets throughout the day, with a performance area on Market Square where local groups like the Town Band, the Balla Pipe Band, etc. will perform. There will be singers and musicians such as Con Murphy, Conor O'Shea, Michael Buckton, Julianne Hennelly, Tanya McDonnell, Aidan Bolger joining in too. Traditional musicians from the Rolling Waves group will take to the stage also. The Pink Ribbon charity Cycle will take place that same day.
The day before, Friday April 29, will see the local national schools take over the town to formally announce the arrival of Mayo Day 2016 with a 'Green and Red Parade'. The schools and their bands will march through the streets flying the county colours with pride. The parade will leave Chapel Street at 11am and the people of the town are encouraged to come out and give a big green and red cheer to the children.
In locations outside the county, including Galway, Manchester, Yorkshire, New York, Toronto, networks and associations are planning events and activities that celebrates who they are and where they come from. Last year, the Niagara Falls lit up for a period on Saturday evening.
The following day, Sunday May 1, Mayo County Council will hold its official 1916 Commemoration on The Mall in Castlebar, which will include a parade and a family fun day. The Ladies Mini Marathon also takes place that morning.
