Major concert event planned for Castlebar

CASTLEBAR Chamber of Commerce are planning to hold a major music concert in Castlebar next year.

Discussions are currently underway to lay down the groundwork for the proposed event.

The event would seek to bring 60,000 people to the county town over one weekend and provide a huge business boost to the town.

Discussions have already taken place with a view to the location and this includes talks with some residents committees in proximity to venues being looked at.

As it stands, the discussions are extremely positive and have paved the way to develop the project further.

John Mulroy, president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, speaking to The Connaught Telegraph this morning, said: “Following on from the success of last year's Mayo On Ice, Castlebar, with ice skating on the Mall, the Chamber and the Chamber's committee are confident of now gaining the support from the town and the county to stage such an event for 2019.”

He explained how the next key step is to bring together the people and business community of Castlebar to support this particular project, as they did with the ice rink.

“It is only by working together that can we achieve a positive result that will benefit Castlebar.”

Wilson Bird, Castlebar Chamber vice-president, said this project could potentially deliver bed nights for the whole of County Mayo.

“This would be a major boost to the hotel and B&B businesses in the region, with a major spinoff also for local restaurants and bars.”

Chamber secretary Antoinette Starken, one of Castlebar Chamber's newest members, is delighted to work on such a big event, and added: “I encourage all of the local business community to join Castlebar Chamber to help deliver on this year's ice rink and next year's big concert event.”

We will have further developments on this story in the coming months.