Mayo victory sparks spending spree across county

Mayo's 75-year wait to retake Sam Maguire has led to a spending bonanza across the county.

The latest Bank of Ireland Spending Pulse analysing debit and credit card use on Sunday and Monday shows significant increases across hospitality, transport and fuel spending, reflecting the scale of the occasion and the celebrations that followed.

Pubs across Castlebar recorded over a 1,000 per cent increase compared to the All-Ireland weekend last year. Westport saw a 350 per cent increase.

Restaurants fed the hungry supporters, with spending increases in Castlebar up 130 per cent, while Westport recorded a 136 per cent rise in restaurant spending.

Meanwhile, hotel spending in Castlebar was up 72 per cent.

Ciarán Coyle, group chief operating officer at Bank of Ireland - a Mayo native - said: "Mayo's historic All-Ireland victory sparked an outpouring of immense joy and celebration, as well as an economic boost both at home and in the capital.

Coyle said the homecoming celebrations in Castlebar highlight "the positive impact major sporting moments can have on communities and local businesses".

"Our latest Spending Pulse data shows significant increases across hospitality, transport and fuel spending, reflecting the scale of the occasion and the celebrations that followed. This will no doubt continue for the foreseeable future as Sam Maguire, the team and management make their way around towns and villages throughout the county.”