- Féile Chois Cuain (early May): A traditional music and culture festival in Louisburgh, featuring performances, sessions, and community events along the coast.
- Mayo International Choral Festival (May): Held in Castlebar, this event attracts choirs from around the world for competitions, concerts, and workshops.
- Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival (June): A boutique festival in Westport showcasing folk, bluegrass, and old-time music from Irish, European, and American artists, with workshops and pub sessions.
- Ballina Salmon Festival (July): A family-friendly heritage festival in Ballina celebrating the River Moy salmon, with street entertainment, parades, music, food, and the Lady of the Moy competition.
- Mayo International Kite Festival (July): Professional and amateur kite flyers gather on Keel Beach, Achill Island, for spectacular displays, workshops, and competitions.
- Scoil Acla (late July to early August): Achill Island’s renowned summer school of Irish traditional music, dance, arts, and culture, with classes, performances, and céilís.
- Geesala Festival (August): A vibrant community festival in Geesala with music, sports, parades, and family activities.
- Bonniconlon Agricultural Show (August): One of Ireland’s largest agricultural shows, featuring livestock competitions, trade stands, entertainment, and family fun.
- Grainneuaile Festival (August Bank Holiday): A long-running music and community festival in Newport honouring the pirate queen Grace O’Malley, with live performances and street events.
- Reek Week Pilgrimage (last Sunday in July, with events throughout): The annual climb of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, accompanied by religious services, music, and community gatherings.
- Westport Arts Festival (September/October): A multi-disciplinary arts event in Westport featuring theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and international performances.
- Ballina Fringe Festival (October): An eclectic arts festival in Ballina with theatre, music, comedy, visual arts, and fringe performances.
- Mayo Dark Sky Festival (October/November): Celebrations in Newport, Mulranny, and Ballycroy highlighting the county’s dark skies with stargazing, talks, walks, and astronomy events.
- Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend (typically May, provisional for 2026): An arts and literary festival on Achill Island with discussions, walks, music, and workshops honouring the Nobel laureate.
- Siamsa Sráide Swinford (August): A street festival in Swinford filled with traditional music, dance, parades, and community céilís.
- Note: Exact dates for many recurring annual events will be confirmed closer to 2026; most are established traditions with consistent timing.
Festivals
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Mayo:
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FOOTSTEPPING – Saint Ciara of Tipperary: Places associated with the saint and her feast day (January 5)
‘In the BUSH that I love best’ – St Stephen’s day in Ireland and the wren boys
‘Belief in Santa Claus seems to be dying out’ – a letter from the children of Ireland of 1938
A solstice tale: How Newgrange became a rocks star (ahem) of archaeology
