Local communities go global for Mayo Day 2016

ALL eyes will be on Mayo and Erris in particular this weekend, when the Mayo World Convention takes place to coincide with Mayo Day 2016. At home and abroad, people with Mayo connections have an opportunity to celebrate all that is great about their progressive, can-do county. This day is an opportunity for businesses, communities, families and individuals to celebrate who we are, and where we come from, on a day in the calendar year that recognises Mayo and its people.

An initiative of Mayo County Council’s Enterprise Office, the second annual Mayo Day celebration takes place this weekend, (Mayo Day is Saturday, April 30) and after the huge international success of Mayo Day 2015, a lot of the focus is shifting back to local shores  this weekend. However, there are dozens of events lined up across the globe as Mayo diaspora and communities united to celebrate their heritage, culture and all things Mayo, and keep an eye our for some high profile ways that this novel day will be marked, as it trends on social media and captures the attention of the world.

Flagship gathering

In association with Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath and Mayo County Council, the Mayo World Conventiontakes place in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel and will be a mixture of promotional, networking and informative events, with some special guests and a gala evening.  

This event which is hosted every two years by one of the Mayo Associations globally, provides the network of Associations scattered around the world an opportunity to connect, network and strengthen ties with each other. The convention will ensure the Associations continue to remain strong, vibrant and purposeful at a time when more and more Mayo people are emigrating and building roots away from their home county and in need of support from the Mayo diaspora.

The theme of this year’s convention is ‘Mayo The Connected County’ and it is the flagship event of the Mayo Day weekend.

The convention which will be officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Michael Holmes, on Friday evening at Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet. The convention will incorporate several sessions over the weekend covering a diverse range of themes such as sustaining jobs, growth and investment in Mayo, Mayo – heartbeat of the Wild Atlantic way, Global Mayo and Mayo Day initiatives and Mayo – a superior quality of life.

Showcase

A range of moderators to facilitate each session from different walks of life will support the speakers at the convention. Keynote speakers who are connected in some way to the topics of discussion under the various themes will have the support of a panel to lead discussions on the topics at hand. The highlight of the convention will be the gala banquet taking place on the Saturday night in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. The banquet dinner is a black tie event and it promises to be a fantastic occasion for Mayos to mingle, socialise and dance until the early hours with musical entertainment being provided by The Brose Walsh Band.

The committee’s longstanding member Fr Gerry French will say Mass on the Sunday with brunch to follow prior to the convention coming to an end.

As Saturday April 30 is Mayo Day, the Association plans to mark the occasion in showcasing and celebrating the best of County Mayo to the attendees of the convention who represent the Associations from around the world. To support the Mayo Day initiative, the convention will convey to diaspora what it means to have Mayo heritage and be in some way connected with the county.

Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath explained that they were keen to host the 2016 Convention, not just in Ireland but in Mayo, given the efforts afoot this year to mark the historical significance of 2016, a hundred years on from the 1916 Easter Rising. The founder of Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath was Major John McBride from Westport, who played a very significant role in leading the insurgents of the 1916 Easter Rising, and was executed for this. Muintir Mhaigh Eo Atha Cliath wish to acknowledge the dedication of the World Convention subcommittee who have worked tirelessly on organising the logistics of this event.

Tickets

To purchase tickets for the convention please visit the Mayo Association website;  www.mayoassociationdublin.com/mayo-association-world-convention-2016-mayo-connected-county

The following ticket options are provided online: a complete weekend ticket, all day Saturday event or a gala banquet only ticket. The Broadhaven Bay Hotel have offered special rates for those attending the convention with double rooms and single rooms available. For guests arriving on the Friday, there is a dinner after the Civic Reception and some special entertainment lined up, including an Irish dancing display from the Sylvan Kelly School of Dancing, Ballina. These supremely talented dancers are the current holders of three world titles and 47 world medals, won at the recent 2016 World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow last month.

Tour

A scenic tour of the North Mayo coast via Barnatra, Inver, Pollatomish, then along the North Coast Road to Downpatrick Head is planned for Sunday, May 1. Leaving promptly at 2pm from the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, on the return journey the tour will stop at the Céide Fields before diverting 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. There is no bus charge for the tour.

West Mayo

In the West Mayo Municipal District there is a huge array of events taking place, outside of the world convention. On Friday, April 29, The Monday Club, in association with Men’s Shed, are hosting a celebration of Irish set and Céilí Dancing at The Quay Community Centre from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

The ever popular Westport Bike Buffet returns for Mayo Day on Friday evening at 6.30pm, showcasing the best of Mayo food producers as you cycle. Mocktails at The Town Hall, cycle to The Towers for a Mayo Starter, onto Gracy’s at Westport House for The Mayo Day gourmet barbecue, and then to Hotel Westport for a sweet Mayo dessert. Book you place at Westport Town Hall on 098-28459.

Saturday, which is Mayo Day,  sees a host of magnificent free entertainment at Westport Town Hall. At 12.30pm The Clew Bay Pipe Band commence with a short performance before their Piper’s Trail from The Octagon. Follow if you wish… Enjoy short informal sessions throughout the day with Westport Sound Division at 1.30pm; The Horkan Family at 2.30pm Last Night’s Session bring their very special brand of Irish and Folk Music to the balcony at 4.15pm followed the up and coming Under The Radar at 5.15pm . The Mayo School of Ballet have two performances on both Saturday and Sunday at 3pm and 6.30pm.

Interactive Story Telling is also a feature of the day on Saturday and O’Cee’s Coffee Shop will host acoustic sessions with two very talented local singer/songwriters - at 1.45pm Grainne Fahy followed at 2.15pm by Rosa Kinsella

At Curry’s Cottage you can enjoy some great stories, poetry and chat with well-known local writers and storytellers, while other events in the district include: Mayo Day Treasure Hunt at Bangor Erris; Ceiliuradh La Mhaigh in Oilean Acla with Cluiche Peil Gaelach idir na cailini oga and Cluiche Sacar idir na gasur oga and Scoil Acla music evening in Teach Gielty.

Newport youths are hosting a traditional session The Bridge Inn, while on Clare Island there will be an an adventure race.

A community futures launch will take place on Inishturk with a locally handcrafted sea currach and film documentary.

Teach Greannai Community Centre CorrΡn Buí, Ros Dumhach, are celebrating their Mayo past and present with displays of domestic antiques, exhibits by an award-winning local photographer, music from local musicians and the local national school children’s choir, as well as good Mayo food.

Live Broadcast

Irish TV will have a live broadcast on Saturday, April 30, between 10pm and 11pm following the gala dinner during the Mayo World Convention.