New date confirmed for popular Mayo 1798 commemorative festival
Special competitions for local national schools announced
The Races of Castlebar Festival will take place this year from Saturday, May 4, to Monday, May 6.
The event will open with a series of commemorative events on the evening of Friday, May 4, with a closing ceremony on the evening of May 6.
The festival will build on last year's highly successful event and include historical re-enactments, talks, tours, and musical and sporting events.
Apart from moving from August to May bank holiday, the organising committee has also announced it wants to encourage younger people to engage with and participate in the festival.
With this in mind, it has decided to run a series of essay, poetry, song and art competitions for sixth-class pupils attending schools the Castlebar area.
The theme of the competitions is The Races of Castlebar 1798.
The Races of Castlebar or The Battle of Castlebar occurred on August 27, 1798, and was a pivotal moment in Irish history.
The events of that day have inspired writers, poets, musicians and artists in the 225 years that have elapsed.
In keeping with this long tradition, the festival committee wants to encourage the next generation to take up the pen and paint and share their thoughts, ideas, and interpretations of this important historical event and those who participated in it.
Essay Competition
An Essay not exceeding 1,500 words on the subject of The Races of Castlebar, 1798.
Essays will be judged on originality and adherence to the theme.
Poetry Competition
A Poem on the subject of The Races of Castlebar, 1798. The poem will be judged on originality and adherence to the theme.
Song Competition
A song on the subject of The Races of Castlebar, 1798. The song will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. There is no prescribed style, so anything from Folk to Country, Pop,
Art Competition
A piece of art in any medium on the subject of The Races of Castlebar. Submissions will be judged on originality, creativity, technical skill, composition, colour use, emotional impact, and adherence to the competition's theme.
The competitions are open to sixth class pupils attending the following schools.
St. John's, Breaffy, Castlebar Primary School senior campus, Castlebar Educate Together, St. Anthony's Special School, St. Peter's National School, Snugboro, and Gaelscoil Raifeirí.
The closing date for entries is Tuesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. and they will be collected on Wednesday, April 17, by the festival committee from each of the schools.