The next Achill Half Marathon & 10K race takes place on Saturday 7thJuly 2018 and is organised by Achill Event Management in association with Achill Tourism, the local tourist office on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, in the west of Ireland.

The event, in its current format, has been staged in Achill since 2007 and is approved by Athletics Ireland.

See achillmarathon.com for full details.

Now in its 54th year, Ballina Salmon Festival is one of the West of Ireland’s longest running family festivals, attracting crowds of over 250,000 annually to the North Mayo Capital.
The festival was originally named the ‘Moy Salmon Festival’, based on the fact that Ballina was home to one of the best rivers in Ireland, with the best fishing waters and salmon in the country. This is of course the case to this day, and Ballina, with its strong fishing heritage is known today as the ‘Salmon Capital of Ireland’.
W: www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie

2018 School Acla Summer School July 28th – August 4th

Scoil Acla is a summer school that offers teaching in traditional Irish music, arts and culture. In 1910 the first Acla School was established, and the event is run every year since it was re-launched in 1985. Scoil Acla offers excellent teaching in a range of disciplines for young people and older people and people with a diverse ability. Amongst the tutorials are the hood, the tin whistle, the fiddle, the whistle, the uilleann pipe, the wedding, the bodhrán, the concert and the box.

W: www.scoilacla.com

Síamsa Sráide Swinford is a summer street festival with open-air Céilí, Dancing, Heritage Day and International Busking Competitions. There are also history walks and talks, poetry recitals, a childrens programme and sport. This year the festival takes place from Friday 3rd August 2018 to the 8th August 2018.

E: mellettj@iol.ie
W: www.siamsa-sraide.com

This year Bonniconlon Agricultural Show & Gymkhana celebrates 69 years since its establishment. The event, now recognised as one of the most successful argi events in the country, attracts in the region of 30,000 people annually, and this year will be extra special as it marks 65 successful years. Bonniconlon Show was founded in 1949 to facilitate an exhibition event of all farm and garden produce, animals (including horse and pony show and jumping) and crafts; as well as attracting visitors to the north Mayo village to create a meeting point for exiles to gather and to see again the cultures and traditions of rural life.

Belmullet Gala Festival 8th to 18th August. Street party, fireworks, raft races etc. all planned with some new events in 2018.

A week long of storytelling and folklore for children and adults with guest speakers hosted by the Jackie Clarke Collection in Ballina Town.

The venue for this year’s Swinford Agricultural Show is on the Heeran Farm at Kiltimagh Road, Swinford, just off the main Castlebar road.

We extend a warm invitation to everyone from near and far to our show. As usual, there will be a full programme of family events and it is the perfect place to catch up with friends and visitors.

If you have never attended an agricultural show before, now is your chance to experience the atmosphere and excitement that makes this a very special event in the life of our town. There really is something for everybody at this years show, including Home Industries, Photography, Pets Corner, Craft Village, Bonny Baby, Face Painting, Dog Show, Potato Picking/Turf Footing. Cattle, Sheep and Horse classes. Junior classes and lots of other side attractions. There will be Live Music through the day

On our annual 10 miler we guarantee all participants a fantastic run, route, day, T-shirt, medal and an abundance of refreshments! This is our inaugural 10 mile road race and following on from the success of all our club races we guarantee all participants a fantastic run, route, day, T-shirt, medal and an abundance of refreshments! You will enjoy a very scenic route, with some fantastic encouragement from our dedicated team of stewards who are there for all types of support along the course. Come join us and experience a true Ballina and Mayo welcome from all at Ballina A.C.

Food Fleadh Ballina makes a welcome return this September 2018 under cover in the Ballina Military Quarter. Food Fleadh Ballina is known for its intimate, friendly atmosphere, great food and fun events for adults and children alike. Once again visitors can expect the best that Mayo has to offer with locally produced artisan foods, cookery demonstrations, tasting and best of live music – all with a distinct French flavour. Food businesses in attendance will include some of the fine dining businesses in the region such as Twin Trees Hotel, Belleek Castle, Luskin’s Bistro and Dillon’s Restaurant well as local foragers and artisan producers.