History, Heritage, Culture, Folklore & Tradition Festival
Drenched in history Swinford has a rich cultural heritage dating back to 1769 and beyond. This year, in a year-long celebration of its history as a bustling market town in the heart of East Mayo, the people of Swinford are throwing open their arms and inviting anyone with a connection to the town and county to visit and participate in “Swinford 250 & More”. In this festival we are celebrating our History, Heritage, Culture, Folklore & Traditions.
It is an opportunity for Swinford town, its people and surrounding communities to showcase everything positive Swinford has to offer. The purpose of the festival is to reconnect with our past and to collect an archive for the benefit of the town, its people and future generations.
Launch of History, Heritage, Folklore & Tradition Festival
This Bank Holiday Festival launch will take place in the Cultural Centre on Friday the 31st May from 6.00pm – 8.00pm and all are welcome. The evening is all about letting people know the times and locations of events which have been organized throughout the weekend.
Launch of History & Heritage Guide To Swinford, Cultural Centre 6.00pm
Swinford 250 committee, in association with members of Swinford Historical Society, has compiled a “Heritage Guide” of Swinford town and surrounding areas. This evening Swinford 250 & More will be proudly launching this History & Heritage Guide booklet. This guide provides a brief outline of Swinford’s historical events and places of interest for people to visit.
Looking Back Through The Lens, Photographic Exhibition
Will be held in Swinford 250 & More office in Market Street Swinford from Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm through to Sunday the 2nd of June.
“Looking Back Through The Lens” is a three-day photographic display of Swinford’s past events, through the decades. The photographs available are from the Duffy family archive. For three generations the Duffys were the photographers in the town.
A White House Welcome for Locals, Visitors and Diaspora
This evening is about welcoming home all visitors to the town for this special weekend and connecting with returning diaspora and visitors with a night of music, stories and fun.
June 1st. The Story of Our Town, Gateway Hotel, Swinford 10.00am – 2.00pm
“The Story of Our Town”- School’s History Competition. The competition is open to fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils of primary schools located in the district of Swinford. The competition aims to encourage pupils to delve into the rich historical archive of the last 250 years of their native town.
June 1st. Rememberance Mass, – Our Lady Help Of Christians Swinford 5.00pm
This Mass is to celebrate everyone past and present who is from Swinford and the surrounding areas. In this mass we will remember all the people who made the town what it is today. This Mass will be available live around the world on this link https://achonrydiocese.org/parishes/mayo/swinford-3/. Everyone is welcome.
June 1st “ All Our Yesterdays” Film Screening, Gateway Hotel, Swinford 7.00pm
“All Our Yesterdays” – A preview of film footage and interviews, collected over the past three years from every corner of the world, will be screened. This will give us a unique insight into the social and historical story of a community during the 40s, 50s and 60s. Through the visual recording of many elderly characters and through access to their personal photographs and cine film archives, we will gain an insight into what life was like and what “community” meant to each family at this time. Unfortunately there are no seats available for this screening. All the tickets for this event have been allocated.
June 2nd The American Wake at 8.00pm, White House Bar, Swinford
“The American Wake” – The American Wake was a custom that seems to be unique to Ireland. It was most common in the south and west of the country. To the Irish speakers of Mayo it was known as “the feast of departure”. If a family could only raise enough money for one passage, the ticket would be bought in the name of the eldest son or daughter. When that son or daughter arrived in America and got a job, money would be sent back to Ireland to help the family pay the rent and eventually to buy another passage for a younger brother or sister.
Our night will be very much upbeat and fun. It’s more of a farewell to our returned visitors and to tie up the weekend with some traditional music, Ceol Agus Craic! We celebrate this night with Stories, Songs, Music and a wee dram of the hard stuff. It will be a night to showcase Swinford’s musical talent. If you are away and would like to join us, from wherever you are around the world, there will be a video link available from our Swinford 250 & More Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Swinford250) from 8.00pm on Sunday June 2nd.
This link will be visible on the Swinford 250 & More Facebook page before the event..
June 3rd, Culmore, Swinford. 5km Fun Run/Walk. Culmore School.
Registration from 11.00am at Culmore National School with the 1.5km race for Children starting at 12.00pm. 5km race starting at 12.30
June Bank Holiday Weekend, Swinford. We want you out at Culmore 5K Fun Run. This is a family day for everyone to enjoy. Get Out, Get Active and celebrate your time with your family and community. This is a community day. Be A Part Of It.
For more information on all Events : Swinford 250 & More
