A new photographic exhibition which celebrates the flora and fauna of Erris and local conservation efforts has been launched.

Always a favourite in this part of the country, it is no surprise that legendary Irish folk and ballad singer Johnny McEvoy can still fill venues – after 60 years of performing!Tickets are now on sale for an unforgettable evening of music as he ...

The Late Late Show New Year's Eve special takes place this coming Wednesday, December 31.

Ballina's Garron Noone will feature in a stunning Christmas broadcast on RTÉ One this Christmas Eve.

Tune in on Christmas night on TG4 at 7 p.m.

Ballina-born folk music artist Sarah Keane has had a landmark year. Her debut album, Something Bigger, took the airwaves by storm during 2025, her headline shows drew packed houses and Sarah has played support to internationally-known acts.

An enduring Christmas tradition on Achill Island continues this year as Dooega Drama Group prepares to stage Brian Friel’s iconic play Philadelphia, Here I Come! Performances will take place in Coláiste Acla, Dooega, at 8pm on December 27, ...

Westport Town Hall has wrapped up another hugely successful panto season.

There is a bumper schedule of events planned for early 2026 at Ireland’s only bilingual centre, Áras Inis Gluaire. The Belmullet venue will host the theatre play 3 Hail Mary’s on Friday, January 16, and Saturday January 17 at 8pm.

One of Disney’s most popular modern works will come to the west of Ireland when Ballinrobe Musical Society stage Frozen: The Musical on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

This Christmas, TG4 marks almost 30 years since the launch of the landmark Geantraí, the much-loved Irish music series that has brought some of the finest traditional music song and sessions to Irish viewing audiences down through the decades.

It is some achievement for anyone to write a book so what long-time Castlebar resident Tom Higgins has achieved is nothing short of remarkable.

Throughout the month of December, there is lots to do at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, including a fun 'Decoration Hunt' activity available in the museum galleries for younger visitors.

It is a testament to the huge work carried out by Bofield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch, whose hosting of the event in 2025 was widely praised.

The Christmas Markets are returning to Collector’s Lane.

Westport Civic Trust is celebrating Christmas 2025 with a miscellany of music and literature in the The Clock Tavern, Westport next Sunday, December 14.

Ballina Christmas Markets will run from Friday, December 12, to Sunday, December 14.

Much-loved concert production Somebody Special is set to return to Claremorris Town Hall Theatre, as a special fundraising concert for Gaza.

The popular Late Late Toy Show airs live tonight, and the theme has officially been revealed.

As the centrepiece of the garden bandstand, a 9-foot “Knitmas Tree,” crafted from recycled wool by local Ballina crafters, welcomes visitors.

For many, the coming weekend marks the true beginning of Christmas party season – and it’s shaping up to be a big one at The Cot & Cobble in Ballina.

Ahead of the Irish National Opera’s production of The Bartered Bride at Ballina Arts Centre this week, the Western People sat down with its director, Louisa Miller.

"We look forward to welcoming you."

Tickets & Gift Vouchers can be purchased online at Áras Inis Gluaire, by phone at 097-81079, or in person at the reception desk.

A new exhibition of paintings by renowned artist Martin Gale was opened at Claremorris Gallery last Saturday by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

One of Ireland’s best-loved entertainers, Michael English, is bringing his much-acclaimed church concert tour to St Patrick’s Church, Gurteen on Sunday, December 7th, at 8pm, as part of his powerful and uplifting show, 'An Evening of Faith, Hope and ...

The Castlebar Municipal District, in conjunction with the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to invite everyone to join them for the magical moment when Castlebar’s Christmas lights are switched on this coming Friday, November 28th.

The National Museum of Ireland has announced a great programme of free family-friendly events to celebrate ‘Christmas at Turlough Park’ over three festive afternoons on Sunday, December 7th, 14th and 21st.

Admission is free; donations at the door in aid of the Michael Davitt Museum.

To say thank you for your support, they will have giveaways, raffle prizes, and plenty of treats throughout the day.

“Each year we try to raise the bar, and this announcement is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting festival yet.”

The Ballina Christmas Markets return for the festive season, bringing with them the magic of Christmas. 

The Roscommon Solstice Choir will present a concert in St Mary’s Catholic Church in Westport on Friday, December 5th, at 8pm. The choir has around 95 members so it will certainly be an evening of great and joyful sound.

On Thursday, December 4th, Cancer Fund for Children will bring music and light to Mary of the Rosary Church, Cong, with a special Twilight Concert, proudly supported by McGrath’s Cong.

The Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society will hold its next talk on Wednesday, November 26th, in the ATU Campus, Castlebar at 7. 30pm.

Ballina is set to sparkle.

The orchestral and choral suite ‘Bound for Canada’, which honours the resilience of the many famine migrants who embarked on their perilous journeys from Ireland in the summer of 1847, will receive its Mayo premiere in Ballina next month.

Get ready for a weekend of pure nostalgia, romance, and rock classics, as Chris Norman, the legendary original voice of Smokie, takes to the stage at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, on Saturday, the 14th, and Sunday, the 15th of February 2026.

Santa Claus will be taking time out of his busy schedule to pay a visit to Ballina later this month to turn on the Christmas lights. A series of wonderful events are planned for Sunday, November 23, to help ring in the festive season in the town.

Coming to Ballina soon, Tommy Marren’s ‘3 Hail Marys' is a rip-roaring comedy that will have you in tears of laughter, a play which both entertains and educates.

Westport Civic Trust will host a talk by Conall O’Cuinn on Tuesday, November 11th, at 8pm in the Plaza Hotel in Westport. Admission is free to members, otherwise €5 on the night.

Castlebar will host a series of Christmas Markets at Collector's Lane (next to Elverys), off Main Street, from December 18th to 21st next.

If you’re interested in selling your clothes on the day, contact makeyourwardrobework@gmail.com or reach out via social media to be added to the cancellation list.

For one night only at the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen, Co Sligo, members of the well-known Collis and Kearins family from Sligo will come together to perform and celebrate the Owenmore Céilí Band with a live concert on Saturday, November 22, at ...

This summer’s Music@Lunchtime series in Ballina Arts Centre featured a huge number of local musicians and artists, both new and well-known. 

A beautiful new art exhibition, entitled 'Harvest', is opening at The Courtyard Gallery, The National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park. It features the work of Hearth participants.

The ninth edition of Clann Mhuiris, the annual journal of Claremorris Historical Society, will be launched on Friday, November 7th. Former MEP for Connacht-Ulster, Jim Higgins, will launch this year’s edition at 7. 45pm in Claremorris Library.

Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats have announced a brand-new nationwide tour and this time they’re turning up the heat with Swing and Big Band arrangements of classic rock anthems.

A new series of fully funded short courses in quality and manufacturing is being introduced.

An invitation is extended to all musicians in Mayo and further afield to join a bumper session in the Ballina Manor Hotel tonight, Wednesday, October 29 commencing at 9. 30pm.

PJ Murrihy and Seamus Shannon join forces for a very special concert at the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen on Saturday, November 8th.

The Changing Ireland Galleries was officially launched at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks recently, marking the biggest expansion of public galleries at the National Museum of Ireland in over two decades.

Acclaimed poet Christina Hennemann releases her highly anticipated debut collection Birthmark (Shearsman Books), a powerful exploration of growing up, becoming, and belonging that charts the complex terrain between personal history and collective ...

Ballina One Act Drama Festival first dipped its toe into the festival circuit in 2015 when it held its inaugural festival in Ballina Arts Centre along the River Moy.

This invariably triggers excitement, enjoyment, and praise in equal measure from concert audiences as they digest a show which never fails to impress.

Tickets are €22, and are available from westporttheatre.com or by calling the box office on 098 28459.

Castleconnor Drama Group will stage two one-act plays in Castleconnor Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday, October 25th and 26th. In the Shadow of the Glen by J.

Westival, Westport’s festival of music and arts, has revealed a new wave of events for its 2025 programme, expanding an already exciting line-up. The updated festival poster featuring the complete programme is now available.

Check out what's on in Ballina!

The Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society is set to commence a series of talks for the 2025/26 season. The title of the first talk is entitled 'A UNESCO Global Geopark for Connacht: How local rocks influence our natural and cultural heritage'.

A pub quiz in Ballaghaderreen is now thought to be the longest running weekly quiz in the world.

One of Ireland’s top musical entertainers, Michael English, is bringing his much-acclaimed church concert tour to Christ the King Church, Knockmore this month, as part of his powerful and uplifting show, An Evening of Faith, Hope and Inspiration.

The hugely popular series will offer six music filled shows.

His reception at Glastonbury a few years ago won’t be a patch on the welcome that David Keenan can expect when he plays two intimate gigs in Ballina this week, writes David Dwane.

A new art exhibition will be opened at the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide on Friday, October 24, at 7pm. The Infrangible Bonds Collection is a series of acrylic on canvas and glass paintings by Bó Gorm.

Two of the major hits of the Scranton Fringe Festival in the USA are coming to the Ballina Arts Centre at the end of this month.

The Foxford Traditional Weekend makes a welcome return once again this year from Thursday to Sunday, October 16 to 19,  bringing together world-class musicians, singers, and dancers in a captivating celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

Whether you're new to the area or a long-time resident, this is a chance to explore local offerings, make new connections, and enjoy a relaxed evening with neighbours and friends.

As part of its professional development programme 2025, Mayo County Council’s Arts Service is delighted to present 'Evolving Access', a mini-symposium with an artists' tour on Wednesday, October 29, from 10. 30am to 3. 30pm.

A fascinating piece of research by a voluntary history and heritage group from Co Mayo is being showcased in a new exhibition of natural history at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks, Dublin.

A familiar Ballina voice and face will feature in a new RTÉ Radio 1 documentary series, Coming Home: Stories of Being Chinese-Irish, which commences on Sunday next, October 12, at 7. 30pm.

Irish music sensation Kingfishr has officially sold out their highly anticipated two-night run at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar – and they did it in just 45 minutes on Friday morning.

They have a chart-topping debut album and over 200 million global streams to date.

The emergence of regional technical colleges (RTCs) in the 1970s initiated one of the most significant developments in the history of third-level education in Ireland.

Bring your friends and prepare to scream your way through Haunted House on the Hill 2025!

The members of Moytura Hurling Club will down their hurls for a night for their upcoming fashion show, taking place at The Lodge at Ashford Castle on Saturday, October 11th.

The Coleman Music Centre is proud to welcome Glór na dTonn Céilí Band, the newly-crowned All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Champions for an unforgettable night of traditional Irish music on Saturday next, October 4th, at 8pm.

A new book by renowned author Brian Dornan explores the prehistoric and medieval past on the Inishkea islands off the Mayo coast.

A special photo exhibition to mark its tenth year will be a centrepiece of this year’s Wild Atlantic Words Festival in Castlebar. The exhibition is now on display at the Castle Bookshop on Market St and at Mayo County Library during opening hours.

Ballina One Act Drama Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, October 31st and Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2nd.

Mayo North East is proud and privileged to once again host Turas na mBan 2025!Against the beautiful backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way, The Erris Coast Hotel will play host to this year’s much-anticipated Turas na mBan event.

Every child will also receive a Halloween goodie bag to bring home with them.

Whether you are a beginner or just looking to improve, there's something here for you.

Mayo Mayhem, powered by RWE, is Ireland’s premier windsurfing event. 

Ballina’s strong humanitarian stand with Gaza during recent and current afflictions on its people has been notable.

Ballina Fringe Festival will welcome internationally-celebrated local author next month. Born in Canada, Colin Barrett grew up in Knockmore and his connection with Ballina remains strong.

Claremorris will host a series of cultural and artistic events from Thursday, September 25th, to Sunday, September 28th, culminating in the first Hi-Doh Festival of Song and Songwriting.

His Ballina show is one of only four Irish tour dates.

Ballina is to be part of a series of musical evenings which will take place at six different venues along the Atlantic coast from Letterkenny to Cobh.

Claremorris Gallery is delighted to announce the forthcoming solo exhibition, ‘Slow Heat’, by the acclaimed artist Emma Stroude.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Words Festival in Castlebar and the organisers are determined that the 2025 programme will be worthy of the occasion.

At the recent launch of the 2025 Cloonacool Sheep Festival, it was announced that this year’s event would feature a visit for the President of the Irish Farmers Association and an attempted world record.

Admission is free, but booking is recommended.

From October 3rd to 12th, Ballina will once again be home to Ballina Fringe Festival - a celebration of arts, music, storytelling and creative expression happening right here in our region.

Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann is staging a specially commissioned show entitled 'Caírdeas' in Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, October 29.