The Mayo Association World Convention from the April 29 to May 1 taking place in Erris offers something for everyone. Mayo Association Dublin invites people to meet the Canadian Ambassador, His Excellency, Kevin Vickers at the dinner on the Friday evening. Following the dinner, entertainment will be provided by the Sylvan Kelly School of Dancing from Ballina, a supremely talented group of dancers who are the current holders of three world titles and 47 world medals won at the 2016 World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow last month.
Mayo people involved in local enterprise or interested in setting up their own business should come along to the first morning session on Saturday 30th April to hear speakers discuss topics such as manufacturing, technology and indigenous industry. Speakers on these topics include John McGowan (Coca Cola ), Greg Varisco (Aqua Comms ), Tommy Griffith (PEL ), John Griffin (Irish TV ) and John Magee (Mayo Local Enterprise Office ).
The second morning session is focused on Tourism in Mayo and speakers for this session include: Anna McCarthy (Mayo Tourism ), Joe Gilmore (Ireland West Airport ) and Fr Richard Gibbons (Knock Shrine ). After lunch on the Saturday two further sessions will take place. The theme of the first session is “Global Mayo” and it will focus on topics such as The Mayo day initiative, The County Mayo foundation and the Diaspora experience with speakers supporting the topics including Martina Hughes (Mayo County Council ), Maria Walsh (Former Rose of Tralee ) and members of Mayo Associations worldwide. The moderator for this session is Marie Louise O Donnell, broadcaster and politician who has strong links with Foxford.
The last session on the Saturday has as its theme “Life in Mayo “and will cover topics such as education, sport, heritage and arts. Speakers include Fergal Barry (President GMIT ), Dr. Seamus Caulfield (archaeologist ), James Horan (former Mayo football team manager ) and Anne McCarthy (Arts Officer )
The black tie gala banquet will take place Saturday night at 8pm and will allow friends and supporters of global Mayo Associations to mingle and socialise in an atmospheric setting. Musical entertainment will be provided by The Brose Walsh Band and dancing will continue until the early hours of the morning.
On Sunday At 2pm a bus tour taking in the Erris coastline will depart from the Broadhaven Bay hotel.The scenic tour of the North Mayo coast will go via Barnatra, Inver, Pollatomish, then along the North Coast Road to Downpatrick Head. On the return journey, there will be a stop at Céide Fields and the tour will then divert at Belderrig to take the wilder route to Porturlin and the Erris cliffs. Along the way, there will be commentary on the unique landscape, archaeology, history and folklore of North Mayo delivered by the renowned archaelogist Dr.Seamus Caulfield.The tour will back at the hotel between 6.30pm and 6.45pm. Flat shoes recommended for the walk on path and grass at Downpatrick Head. There is no bus charge for the tour.
Further details on the weekend programme and enquiries on purchasing tickets can be obtained from the Mayo Association Dublin website www.mayoassociationdublin.com or by contacting the following members of the convention subcommittee, committee chair Noel Howley, (087 ) 2539996; Paul Sammin (087 ) 2983106; Paddy Moran (086 ) 2573219. The following ticket options are available: a complete weekend ticket, all day Saturday event, or a gala banquet only ticket.
