Big screen proposal in Ballina for All-Ireland Final
The crowd in 2017 in Hoban's Car Park in Castlebar watching the All-Ireland Final on the big screen. Picture: Cllr Ger Deere Facebook
Mayo County Council is exploring the possibility of screening the All-Ireland football final between Mayo and Kerry on a big screen in Ballina.
The proposal was raised at this week's meeting of the Ballina Municipal District following news that discussions are underway about hosting a public screening at the Mall in Castlebar.
Cllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy asked if a similar event could be organised in Ballina, saying it would allow supporters who are unable to get tickets or travel to Dublin to be part of the celebrations.
With Mayo preparing for their first All-Ireland final since 2021, anticipation is continuing to build across the county ahead of the match on Sunday, July 26.
Councillors suggested the Military Barracks or Pearse Street as potential venues.
Ballina previously hosted a big-screen event for Mayo's 2021 All-Ireland final against Tyrone on Pearse Street, with tickets costing €5 per person.
Councillors also recalled that a previous semi-final had been shown in the town, with the €2,000 cost covered through their GMA allocations.
Head of the Ballina Municipal District Anna Connors said she would look into Cllr Duffy's proposal and report back in due course.
Cathaoirleach Annie May Reape said there is a great sense of excitement in the town ahead of the final and agreed that a public screening would be a welcome addition to the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Ger Deere, confirmed earlier this week that he has been in discussions with Castlebar Chamber of Commerce and Mayo County Council about hosting a screening in the county town.
“A number of options are being discussed to make this a reality. A lot of Mayo supporters will be unable to get tickets to the match, so as the county town, we have to facilitate those fans from right around the county, and indeed the country, by showing the final on a big screen in a public area in the county free of charge,” he said.
Castlebar held a screening of Mayo's 2017 All-Ireland final against Dublin in Hoban's Car Park, with the event funded by five local businesses.
