Colour and sparkle at Castlebar festivities

THE county town of Castlebar was a kaleidoscope of colour and sparkle at the weekend as three major festivals collided in wonderful harmony. As over 700 walkers from 22 nations took to the hills, byways and boreens during the 47th staging of the International Four Days Walking Festival, the arrival of the region’s most talented traditional musicians for the Connacht Fleadh completed the unique cultural mix. And by the time the annual Heart of Castlebar extravaganza got underway on Saturday, the old town was really heaving.

No wonder the walkers from countries as far removed as Australia and  Sweden, Taiwan and Canada, South Korea and Spain were keen to complete their treks early to appreciate the cacophony of sweet sounds from accordions, tin whistles, fiddles, harps and uilleann pipes.

The Connaught Telegraph dispatched a fleet of photographers to capture the special atmosphere that made last weekend such a one-off. Professional camera people in the calibre of Alison Laredo, Michael Donnelly and Joy Heverin were joined on the streets by Ann McHugh and Frank Fullard, two outstanding enthusiasts with an eye for a good image.

The efforts of all those involved in organising the three events deserve to be acknowledged while the members of the public are lauded for their support. There is little doubt the walkers will keep coming back to Castlebar every year and the 50th anniversary in three years’ time is destined to be celebrated with gusto.

The success of the Connacht Fleadh has put Castlebar in line to secure the All-Ireland Fleadh in the years ahead while the Heart of Castlebar Festival is certain to remain an integral part of the town’s social calendar, although a move to a Sunday date may be considered for the future.