'Unforgettable memories' - Ballina Salmon Festival 2025 wrap up

The 2025 Ballina Salmon Festival wrapped up yesterday, leaving behind a wave of community pride, cultural vibrancy, and unforgettable memories. 

Now in its 61st year, the festival remains one of Ireland’s longest-running community events, deeply rooted in the heritage of the town of Ballina and its famous River Moy.

The festival officially opened on 12th July with the traditional "Lady of the Moy" competition, where Alannah O'Connor was crowned this year’s winner. Alannah went on to represent the festival with grace and enthusiasm, meeting thousands of people throughout the week. 

The opening was followed by the much-loved Ballina Agricultural Show. Under the leadership of Chairperson Richard Bourke, this year’s show drew large crowds from across the region, showcasing the best of local farming, produce, and agriculture. It was a key highlight of the festival, bringing the community together to celebrate Ballina’s agricultural roots.

The Credit Union 5km, another popular event, started in glorious sunshine but saw runners show their true mettle as they finished the course in torrential rain. Their determination and hardiness were a testament to the spirit of the Ballina community, with the rain doing little to dampen the enthusiasm of the participants.

Monday night’s boat gathering on the River Moy was a stunning sight, with vessels including boats, sups and canoes lining the waters to the musical backdrop of the Foxford Brass and Reed Band and the Ballina Brass Band. The festive atmosphere was made even more special with a selection of delicious refreshments, including pints of Guinness, Michelle’s Bakery’s famous brown bread, and the finest smoked salmon from Clarke’s Smokery. The boats were beautifully decorated, creating a magical experience for both participants and spectators. 

Tuesday night brought the festival's Treasure Hunt. A total of 90 cars participated, racing through the streets of Ballina to follow clues and solve riddles in search of hidden treasure. The winners of the hunt, the "Harry Spotters," were a family team comprising William and Nicola, their children Farah and William, and Nicola’s dad, Anthony Timoney.

Heritage Day was a vibrant celebration of traditional skills and local culture. The event saw everything from mice to llamas, as animals of all shapes and sizes were showcased, along with ducks, geese, and chickens. Horses of all breeds were paraded, while an old cottage with brown bread and eggs cooking on the fire brought visitors back to simpler times. Traditional crafts were on full display, with artisans demonstrating basket making, metalwork, blacksmithing, stone masonry, woodworking, and much more. Vintage steam engines and classic cars added to the nostalgic atmosphere, bringing a sense of history to the day.

The afternoon tea at the Presbyterian Church, a tradition now running for 31 years, drew huge crowds who enjoyed a delicious spread in a warm, community-oriented setting. Another hugely popular event was Ed Gaughan’s pipe display, and the falconry demonstration and the exhibition of birds of prey at the Jackie Clarke Museum were a big hit, with visitors marvelling at the majestic birds up close.

The Mayo Fit Games, held on Thursday night, proved to be a massive success and were the brainchild of Stephen Geddes from The Gym. The competition saw participants pushing their limits in a series of fitness challenges, with plenty of excitement and energy in the air. Dodge a Wrench emerged as the team winners, taking home the €250 prize and a trophy for their efforts. Darragh Plunkett was named Best Male, while Sinead Noone took the title of Best Female. Their performances were nothing short of impressive, showcasing both strength and determination. The event was a true celebration of fitness and community, and organisers are already looking forward to making the 2026 edition even bigger and better.

Friday night’s Battle of the Clubs Lip Sync competition was one of the most entertaining events of the festival organised by Lavinia Slater, with 19 local clubs coming together to showcase their musical talents, creativity, and community spirit. Participants from across Ballina performed vibrant lip-sync renditions of popular songs, complete with impressive costumes and choreography. A special mention goes to Ardagh Vision, representing the local GAA club, who took home the top prize. Led by Dolores O'Boyle, Martin Carr, Dermot O'Boyle, and Breege Kelly, their spirited performance of Riverdance stole the show, captivating the crowd with their infectious energy and flawless execution. The organisers would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the local clubs who participated, adding so much fun and enthusiasm to this year’s festival. Their involvement truly helped make the event a memorable highlight of the week.

The Busking Competition brought a vibrant energy to the streets, with talented performers showcasing their skills across town, sponsored by Campion Freight. The winners, 20 Somethin’, impressed the judges with their energetic performance, while the junior winners, Rhythm and Air, wowed the crowd with their youthful talent. The lovely judges—Lorna, Lyndsay, Darragh, Susan, and Chloe—had a fantastic week listening to the amazing talent on display, with the lively atmosphere making it one of the festival’s most memorable events.

Throughout the week, family-friendly and Children’s events brought joy to young and old alike. The festival offered a fantastic range of activities for children, ensuring they were entertained all week. Highlights included the exciting Pirate Treasure Hunt, art workshops, song and dance workshops where kids created their own masterpieces, and lively song and dance sessions. Young sports enthusiasts enjoyed a variety of fun sports events.

The 2025 Heyco Moy Swim also proved to be a highlight of the festival, with a record entry of 230 participants. Swimmers enjoyed excellent conditions and a great flow in the River Moy, with many delighted to achieve personal best times. The event was not only a test of endurance but a celebration of individual achievement. Local swimmer Shane Dunne claimed the top spot in the race, adding yet another impressive victory to his recent win at the triathlon.

The Teddy Bears' Picnic at the Ballina Salmon Festival on Sunday was a real hit with the children. Filled with fun, games and plenty of picnicking with their favourite teddy bears. The event captured the imagination of the little ones, making it one of the standout moments of the festival.

The ever-popular Hill Ball Run made a thrilling return on the last day of the festival, as part of Spraoi na Ree, organised by the Ardnaree Sarsfields, drawing plenty of excitement.

Festival Chairperson Mary Dunne warmly acknowledged the remarkable efforts that made the event possible. “The festival brings life, colour, and a deep sense of pride to our town. It truly wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors, and the dedication of our local businesses. Together, they’ve created something truly special for the community. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of Ballina for their incredible support throughout the events. Your enthusiasm and spirit have made all the difference. I can’t thank everyone who helped personally, but please know that every bit of support has been noticed and deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes to the Ballina Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, Mayo County Council staff, Moy Valley, Mayo North, The Garda, the Order of Malta, Gráinne Uaile, Moy Canoe Club, River Moy Search and Rescue, the Lions Club, the Soroptimists, Ray Foley Buses, Gills Transport, and so many others. Your commitment and dedication have been invaluable. We are excited to continue building on this success and look forward to an even bigger and better festival in 2026.” 

The festival also delivered a welcome boost to the local economy. Hotels, cafés, pubs, and shops reported increased footfall, while independent traders and food vendors enjoyed strong support from the thousands of visitors who descended on Ballina for the festivities.

As the bunting comes down and the streets return to their usual rhythm, the organising committee is already looking ahead to 2026. With the continued support of the community and the energy of the volunteers, next year’s festival promises to be just as memorable.