Mayo Day events on both sides of the Atlantic
Pictured at the Chicago Mayo Association Christmas Lunch where Home to Mayo 2024 and Mayo Day 2024 was launched was Eibhlís Maher (Fáilte Ireland), Seamus Kavanagh (Hollister, Chicago), Ciara Sugrue (Fáilte Ireland), Bill Byrne (Director of Global Sales and VP North America, Aer Lingus, Kevin Byrne (Consul General of Ireland in Chicago), Mags Connell (Administrative Officer, Mayo County Council), Cllr Martin McLoughlin (Leas Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council), Ruth Cawley (President, Mayo Association Chicago), Cllr Donna Sheridan, Martina Hughes (Senior Executive Officer, Mayo County Council), Paula Svadlena (Chicago Sales Manager, Aer Lingus) and Cllr Adrian Forkan.
The weeks are counting down to the tenth anniversary celebrations of Mayo Day which will take place on Saturday, May 4th.
To celebrate Mayo Day turning ten, Mayo County Council is organising two Mayo Day events - one at home and one international.
The Mayo Day flagship event will this year be taking place in the beautiful town of Belmullet to coincide with the Belmullet 200 celebrations taking place over the year.
All the magic of Mayo Day and more will take over the scenic north Mayo outpost with music, art, food, culture, children’s fun, and games and more taking centre stage on the day. The Mayo Day music stage will be taking up residence in Carter Square with the first notes being struck from 12pm and will continue into the early evening.
The dockside will transform into a food lover’s delight, with the ever-popular food village not only showcasing the best of locally produced food and drinks, but it will also play host to some of the finest chefs and cooks in the region who will be demonstrating their culinary skills.
While you’re indulging your tastebuds, make sure to check out Puball na Gaelige – the Mayo Day Irish language and cultural hub.
Make sure you stop by on Barrack Street and check out the fantastic offerings of the crafters of Mayo, with everything from knits to art works, it is the perfect place to bring home something to remember your Mayo Day experience by and support the wonderful local crafters of Mayo. On Main Street the motoring enthusiast will be able be able to while away the hours, with a selection of vintage and classic cars on display for the day.
Just a short walk from the middle of the town will bring you to Áras Inis Gluaire which is set to become a buzzing hub of art, family entertainment, food vans and the ever-popular displays from the Mayo Fire Service.
Across the Atlantic in Chicago, the Green and Red will be flying high alongside the Stars and Stripes on May 4th when the International Mayo Day flagship event takes place in Gaelic Park. There is a stunning line-up of music, food, Gaelic Games, crafts, history, heritage, education, business and more.
There is going to be something for everyone of Mayo heritage on show in Chicago and it’s not just a one-day event, with Mayo Day spreading out for a second day on Sunday, May 5th, with more events planned to take place in the City by the Lake.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus is looking forward to the celebrations and is encouraging everyone at home and abroad to celebrate Mayo Day.
“Mayo Day is something that is to be celebrated by all Mayo people wherever they are in the world. It is a day for us all to come together and celebrate what is great about Mayo and to cherish that we come from such a great county. It’s fantastic to see Belmullet hosting the local flagship event this year as part of the Belmullet 200 celebrations and that we are reaching out to our Diaspora with an event in Chicago."
The full line-up of music acts for both Mayo Day in Belmullet and Chicago will be released next week, so stay tuned to our social media channels @mayodotie and @mayococo on Facebook and X/ formerly Twitter.
