Mayo sporting legends Cora Staunton and Henry Coyle celebrate Mayo Day in Chicago
Mayo GAA legend Cora Staunton and Mayo boxer and former Irish welterweight champion Henry Coyle pictured with the WBF world boxing belt
Two Mayo sporting stars, GAA legend Cora Staunton and former Irish welterweight champion, Henry Coyle were among the large Mayo contingent who enjoyed the Mayo Day celebrations in Chicago on Saturday.
The green and red of Mayo flew high alongside the stars and stripes on the same day when the International Mayo Day Flagship event took place in Gaelic Park in Chicago.
There was a stunning line-up of music, food, Gaelic Games, crafts, history, heritage, education, business and more taking centre stage.
Cora, who won four All Ireland titles with Mayo and six All Ireland senior ladies club football titles with Carnacon, was visiting the Windy City and holding coaching clinics with young footballers on Mayo Day.
Henry Coyle, who boxed professionally from 2007 until 2013, is a former Irish welterweight champion and he has lived in Chicago for several years.
Fine Gael Councillor Gerry Coyle said he was delighted to hear such large crowds attended the events in Chicago and that Mayo Day was such a big success there.
Things were kicked off in Chicago on Friday evening last with a business event moderated by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, featuring several Mayo and international business leaders showcasing Mayo as a world-class place to do business.
On Saturday in Gaelic Park, a stellar line-up of musical acts headlined by Eileen Ivers and Band and Matt Molloy of The Chieftains fame entertained the crowds.
The Destination Mayo hub showcased some of the most innovative and exciting Mayo businesses together with tourism offerings. ATU and NUIG who promoted the third-level education sector in the region.
A sense of Mayo’s past was brought to life with a number of exhibitions and talks on ‘The Famine in Mayo’, ‘The War of Independence in Mayo’ and Mayo GAA’s drive to their 1951 All Ireland win also took centre stage.
Martina Hughes, Head of Corporate Development and Communications at Mayo County Council, spoke ahead of the events on Saturday and said Mayo Day is all about connecting and engaging with Mayo people right across the world.
"One of the original and ongoing aims of Mayo Day is to promote Mayo nationally and internationally as a positive location for business and tourism and to further enhance the image of Mayo as a progressive county at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way.
"The range of events in Belmullet and in Chicago will do just that.”
