Your Ultimate North Mayo Summer Festivals and Events Guide 2023

Your Ultimate North Mayo Summer Festivals and Events Guide 2023

A busy Summer of festivals and events lies ahead in North Mayo, so be sure to start planning your trip if you haven’t already done so! From annual fair days to heritage events, agricultural shows, the Ballina2023 festivities and even a brand new music festival, not to mention Irelands oldest community festival – the spectacular Ballina Salmon Festival. Whether you are a local or a visitor, there is literally something to keep everyone entertained in North Mayo through upcoming months.

Below you will find a programme of festivals and events that we have listed to date our website. As you know, it is only the start of the season, so you can be sure there are many more added. Keep an eye on the What’s On page on our website for full details of all of the festivals and events in North Mayo. Don’t forget to let us know if you would like to add an upcoming event or festival too!

June

• Annual Welcome Home Festival: Sunday, 18th to Sunday, 25th June
  The Annual Welcome Home Festival returns to the Great National Hotel Ballina, County Mayo. 7 days and nights of dancing to top class entertainment, ceilís, set dancing and the best of country music.

• Connacht Fleadh Cheoil, Ballina: Friday, 23rd June to Sunday, 2nd July
  The Connacht Fleadh & Festival takes place in Ballina, Co Mayo, from June 23rd – July 2nd 2023. There will be a jam packed program of music, dancing, performing and fun, with a range of events including workshops, Ceilis, street entertainment and pub sessions. Check out the full day by day Connacht Fleadh Cheoil programme of events here.

July

• Enniscrone Agricultural Show, Enniscrone, Sligo: Sunday, 2nd July
  The annual Enniscrone Agricultural Show has animal judging events, trade stands, entertainment, including Michael English as well as food and refreshments. It is a great day out for all of the family.

• The Mary Robinson Climate Conference, Ballina: 6th to 7th July
  Ballina 2023, together with The Mary Robinson Centre, Mayo County Council and the University of Galway, supported by IPB Insurance will hold a week-long international sustainability assembly in July 2023, supported by a broad group of national and regional stakeholders. The programme will focus on the theme of sustainable development and enabling grassroots community climate action, exploring the international perspective and the local perspective in Ballina, connecting communities, practitioners, agencies and government with academics and researchers, through dialogue, deliberation, arts and music.

• Ballina Salmon Festival 2023:  Saturday, 8th to Saturday, 15th July
  The longest running community festival along the wild Atlantic way, inspired by Ballina’s jewel in its crown, the River Moy, as Ballina is officially dubbed ‘Salmon Capital of Ireland’, returns for its 59th year, this year celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Ballina during 2023! Some of the 2023 highlights include a Macnas Community Parade and Fireworks Display, Vikings of the Moy, Beat on the Street, The Moy Swim, Teddy Bears’ Picnic and, of course, the iconic Ballina Salmon Festival Heritage Day. This years Ballina Salmon Festival will be a special seven days to remember.

• Ballina Agricultural Show: Sunday, 9^th July
  Ballina Agricultural Show will be returning to Ballina Show grounds on Sunday 9th July 2023. It promises to be a bumper day of events and entertainment with something for all the family including events such as cattle shows, dog shows, horse & pony jumping and showcasing, as well as lifestyle events such as cookery demonstrations, crafts and bakery displays in additions to kids entertainment. View the full selection of events for the Ballina Agricultural Show 2023 here.

• Crossmolina Nephin Festival “Summer ’23 @ The Marquee”: Wednesday, 19^th July; Friday, 21^st July; & Sunday, 23^rd July
  This years Crossmolina Nephin Festival will include Summer 23 @ The Marquee. Three nights of music not to be missed, with Jimmy Buckley, The Tumbling Paddies and Mundy all performing. New to this years festival you can also enjoy a duathlon race run/walk and cycle as part of the festival.

• Erris Agricultural Show: Sunday, 23^rd July
  This years Erris Agricultural Show will include many classes of animals on show alongside a jam-packed day of entertainment for all ages,  trade stands and ‘Best Dressed’ competitions. This is all topped off with great musical entertainment provided by Johnny Brady and Mick Travis on the show grounds

• Enniscrone Black Pig Beach Music Festival: Friday, 28^th July to Sunday, 30^th July
  Enniscrone in Sligo, just 15 minutes from Ballina will play host to three days of live music as the Black Pig Beach Festival hits the beautiful sandy beach of Enniscrone. The event will includes the new beach music marque with live music across the three days from Cliona Hagen, The Tumbling Paddies and Jimmy Buckley to name but a few. It will also have a host of fun family events to keep the craic going.

• Crossmolina Agricultural Show: Saturday, 29^th July
  A fun filled family day out with events and stalls for all the family, plus as you would expect, many different classes of livestock on show.

August

• Síamsa Sráide: Swinford Street & Arts Festival: Friday, 4^th to Wednesday, 9^th August
  The Swinford Síamsa Sráide Street Festival is coming back this year and it promises to be bigger and better than ever! Síamsa Sráide Street & Arts Festival is a wonderful celebration of music, arts, sport and fun on the streets of Swinford. This year, the town will celebrate its 37th festival from August 4th to August 9th 2023.

• Healyfest: Healy’s Bar Ballycastle: Friday 4^th to Monday 7^th August
  Gaining near legendary status on the North Cost of Mayo, Healyfest returns once again for the August bank holiday. With acts such as Rusty Jacks, Rob Strong Band, Tommy Maloney, Buck Taylor and Snakeoil all confirmed, and more to be announced, it promises to be a weekend not to be missed. To top it off admission is free as it the camping, just be sure to pack your dancing shoes!

• Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival. Sligo: Saturday, 5th to Wednesday 9th August Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival will celebrate its 36th year, running from Saturday 5th to the highlight of the festival, the Old Fair Day on Wednesday 9th August.  A fun family friendly festival for young and old to enjoy every August. The five-day festival carries on the tradition of the fair day of years past. Their showcase event takes place on second Wednesday in August, the Old Fair Day. It is a treasure trove of activities from our demonstrators in our heritage and craft village, showcasing traditions from bygone days of the fair, artisan stalls, vintage displays, animals and live music.

• Bonniconlon Show: Monday, 7^th August
  The hugely successful Bonniconlon Agricultural Show is back on Monday 7th August 2023. The has placed itself a one of the major festivals and events in the destination. The show welcomes over 30,000 people each year and is the second biggest agricultural show in Ireland. The show features a lot of events with something for everyone from a dog show to horse and pony lunging, sheepdog trials, the All-Ireland Calf finals and the crowning of the Rose of Bonniconlon ‘Queen of the Show’ as well as the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’ competition, a heritage and vintage display, live music performances, a party and disco for the children and much more going on throughout the day. Live musical entertainment includes the Tumbling Paddies from 4pm – 6pm live in the showground!

• Inver Festival 2023: Friday, August 11^th & Sunday 13^th
  The village of Inver in the parish of Kilcommon in the barony of Erris are hosting a lovely festival again this year. The Inver Festival 2023 will have performances from Gerry Guthrie, All Folk’d Up and Michael English as well as a host of local talents, the weekend will also include kids entertainment, sheep & dog shows and much more.

• Far West Fest: Friday, August 18^th & Saturday 19^th: Brand new music festival
  Far West Fest is a brand new music festival for 2023, taking place beautiful village of Geesala on the Mullet Peninsula in the barony of Erris (10 minutes from Belmullet). Taking place over the weekend of August 18th and 19th, Far West Fest looks set to bring some of Ireland’s best music acts to one of the most picturesque parts of the country and is a sell out for 2023. Acts include 3 of the biggest Irish acts of the last decade, headliner Gavin James, very special guests The Academic and our Eurovision pick for 2023 the fantastic Wild Youth.

• Killala Live Festival: Friday, 16^th – Sunday, 20th August
  This years Killala Live Festival takes places from the 16th – 20th August 2023. Establishing itself as one of the great festivals and events in North Mayo, the headline act – The Whistling Donkies will play on Saturday 19th August. Ruaile Buaile will also play a free outdoor gig on Friday the 18th in Killala. There will be a host of other entertainment and activities over the festival, so keep an eye on the Killala Live Events Facebook page for more.

• Foxford Riverfest: Friday, 18^th & Saturday, 19^th August
• ‘Candles to the Sea’ on Friday evening opening Foxford Riverfest. Saturday will then be a jam packed day of family entertainment with craft, food and fishing related stalls in Market Square. There will also be a children’s safe play area and learning space in the Church of Ireland grounds, plus music in the evening and much more besides.

• Year of the French Festival: Saturday 19^th to Tuesday 22^nd August
  Ballina 2023 in collaboration with the French Embassy, Mayo County Council (Ballina Municipal District) and In Humbert’s Footsteps to commemorate the ‘Year of the French‘, which marks 200 years since the death of General Humbert, and 225 years since his landing in Killala Bay. For more information visit The Year of The French Festival.

• Lahardane Fair Day: Tuesday, 15th August
  One of Mayo North’s oldest events, with a tradition of over 100 years. The festival originated a Harvest Festival, designed to give thanks for the summer crops in the area. You can still see animals for sale, but it is also a day for families, relations and friends in the region to get together and celebrate their heritage. With fun family events, street stalls, auctions, crafts, live music, dance, face painting, funfair and welly throwing this is always a day to remember – and one where anything can happen! Please see their Facebook Page for updates and more information.

• Belmullet Festival:  Saturday, 12th August – 20th August
  Belmullet Festival runs over a week with many events happening to keep all the family entertained, topped off with a street carnival and firework display. The festival will include its signature Fair Day on the 15th, Heritage day, and the Street Carnival and fireworks display on the Saturday night the 19th August.

• Swinford Agricultural Show: Sunday, 27^th August
  If you have never attended an agricultural show before, now is your chance to experience the atmosphere and excitement that makes this a very special event in the life Swinford. There really is something for everybody at this years Swinford Agricultural Show, including Home Industries, Photography, Pets Corner, Craft Village, Bonny Baby, Face Painting, Dog Show, Potato Picking/Turf Footing. Cattle, Sheep and Horse classes. Junior classes and lots of other side attractions. There will be Live Music through the day. Further information to follow.

As more festivals and events are added to the calendar they will be put on our What’s On page so be sure to check back.

If you know of any festivals and events in North Mayo that are not listed above please email us: [email protected] so we can spread the word.