There is only one place to be this weekened……that is Ballina! Celebrating 300 years this year Ballina2023 have already held a host of events including the Shannon Medals GAA Tournament, Out on the Moy and Mise en Lumières and one of the obvious highlights – the visit of US President Joe Biden earlier in the month. This weekend, from Friday 28th to Sunday, 30th April there is also a bumper weekend of events lined up.
Friday, 28th April:
– Ballina Salmon Weir Guided Tours
For the first time in Ballina, Inland Fisheries Ireland will offer a series of intimate public guided tours that will provide participants the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the Ballina Salmon Weir.
Visit: www.ballina2023.ie/ballina-salmon-weir-tour/ for full information.
Saturday, 29th April:
– Mayo Day 2023
Mayo Day returns this April to celebrate all things Mayo, with the flagship event heading to Ballina in north Mayo for the first time. Ballina will be a hive of activity and will showcase local artists and photographers through exhibitions and workshops. It will have the finest Mayo food and craft offerings along with engaging and fun workshops and activities for all the family. The event will even offer a dedicated history and heritage quarter and that’s before mentioning the headline acts that will take over the main stage from 12 noon to 6pm, and of course, it is all free of charge.
Entertainment includes: Boxing Banjo; Lisa Canny; Gerry Guthrie; Hit Machine Drummers; Stuart Moyles; Michael S Togher & Clodagh Togher; Trad Lib; Finnéin Quinn. In addition to this, The Kings of Kilburn High Road will also perform in the Ballina Arts Centre on that evening. For details of performance times visit : www.mayo.ie/mayo-day-2023/music.
For even more family fun, head to Tom Ruane Park in Ballina.
This wonderful day is an amazing way commemorate our accomplishments and successes as a county.
There are just too many wonderful events to list on this page, so please visit: www.mayo.ie/mayo-day-2023/ for the full comprehensive programme of events.
Sunday 30th April
– Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini Marathon
The Mayo.ie, Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon will take place this Sunday for the first time ever in Ballina. Kicking off at 12pm the main 10k event is fully booked. It was capped at 2023 participants, the ideal number to celebrate Ballina 2023. There will also be a children’s race on the day. The staging of the prestigious event in Ballina is the result of a collaboration between a host of organisations. They include: Mayo Sports Partnership, local athletics clubs Moy Valley AC and Ballina AC, Ballina Municipal District, Ballina 2023, Mayo.ie and the Western People.
For more information visit: www.westofirelandminimarathon.com.
– Arthur Muffeny Memorial Unveiling
On Sunday, 30th April at 5pm an unveiling will take place of a memorial plaque to Arthur Muffeny. This will take place on Pearse Street followed by refreshments in Rouse’s Bar. Muffeny was one of Ballina’s greatest campaigners, businessmen, philanthropists, industrialists and humanitarians. He was known as a champion of the poor and destitute.
For full details on this event, and to find our more about Arthur Muffeny visit: www. ballina2023.ie/arthur-muffeny-memorial-unveiling-saturday-april-30/
This will be a wonderful weekend for all. To keep up to date on all upcoming events in the entire north Mayo region visit www.northmayo.ie/whats-on/. If you have an event you wish to add to this, please email details to [email protected].
For more on the year long celebrations surrounding Ballina’s 300th anniversary visit www.ballina2023.ie
