Remembering felix waitkus in ballinrobe

BALLINROBE'S ninth annual Fly Mayo Festival, which remembers the historic 1935 transatlantic flight of Lithuanian pilot Felix Waitkus, will take place next weekend – and a big appeal has been made for locals to come along to enjoy the many events.

Waitkus survived an emergency landing of his plane at Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, after weather conditions deteriorated during his flight, and the event has become a major focal point for the Lithuanian community in Ireland.

'This year, we want the people of Ballinrobe and surrounding areas to take an active part in the festival. There will be music, song, dance, food and much more besides,' said David Hall, a member of the local organising committee.

The attendance at the festival will include the Lithuanian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Rasa Adomaitiene; a Minister in the Lithuanian Government, J. Olekas; and Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with Special Responsibility for Food, Forestry, Horticulture and Food Safety.

Award-winning Lithuanian choir Jauna Muzika, from Vilnius, will perform in St. Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, on Friday (September 25) at 8 p.m. 'This choir has performed in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Moscow, Budapest, Frankfurt, Spain, Austria and Germany, and we are honoured to have them in Ballinrobe, and we particularly grateful to Canon Conal Eustace, PP, who has done so much to make their visit possible,' said Mr Hall.

On Saturday (September 26), at 2.15 p.m., there will be a parade through Ballinrobe, starting at the Cornmarket, led by the Irish Army Colour Party and Balla Pipe Band. It will conclude at the Bower’s Walk, Ballinrobe, where the official opening of the new Lithuania Flight Monument will take place at 3 p.m. It will be a 12 ft. by 12 ft. replica of Mr Waitkus’ plane. The old monument will be moved to a site near where the emergency landing took place in Cloongowla.

Later on, at 7 p.m., Irish and Lithuanian folk music will form the centrepiece of a festival party in the racecourse. 

On the Sunday of the festival (September 27), Mass will be celebrated in Ballinrobe Church, followed by a Lithuanian Fair, which also takes place at the racecourse.