Mayo Day wins Best Irish Festival award
MAYO County Council has scooped the Best Irish Festival award at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards for Mayo Day 2024.
Last year marked the 10th anniversary of Mayo Day, with flagship events taking place in both Belmullet and Chicago to mark the occasion.
Thousands of visitors thronged to both locations on Saturday of the May bank holiday weekend to celebrate everything that is great about Mayo.
Both locations saw Mayo music, culture, arts, food and creativity to the fore and the celebration was recognised in a stellar field of festivals by the judges of the awards as being the best Irish festival last year.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor John O’Hara, who accepted the award, said: “It was a great honour as cathaoirleach to pick up the trophy on behalf of Mayo County Council. Mayo Day has become a highlight on the calendar both at home and abroad, where we as Mayo people come together to mark what makes the people and the county unique across the globe.
“We are thrilled to see Mayo Day recognised at these awards. It is a testament to the enthusiasm of Mayo people both here at home and wherever they are around the world to celebrate their county that has made Mayo Day the success it has become over the past decade.”
Plans are underway for Mayo Day 2025, which will take place once again on the Saturday of the May bank goliday weekend, with details of the plans due to be announced shortly.
The All-Ireland Community and Council Awards are held annually in conjunction with the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and Irish Public Bodies Insurances.
The awards recognise and celebrate communities and councils working together and provide an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work done within our communities.
Mayo County Council were also shortlisted for two other awards, with the Achill Island Greenway shortlisted in the Best Trail/Waterway in Ireland category and Christmas in Castlebar receiving a nomination in the Best Irish Festival category