October 2014

First week end of October

Foxford Walking Festival - Outdoor Activities

The Foxford Walking Festival takes place on Saturday October 4 and Sunday October 5 and it is one of the most popular events on the walking calendar.

A lot of walks has been selected for all walkers around Foxford. There are three levels: Hard, Moderate and Easy. The walks will pass picturesque mountain loughs, stunning coasts and impressive countryside.

Refreshments including tea, coffee, cakes, soup and rolls will be available for walk participants. Good equipment is required.

10th to 12th October 2014

Cleary & Coyne Festival

The Claremorris Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann are holding a Traditional Festival on the weekend of 10th, 11th, 12th of October 2014. The traditional music weekend is organised annually in memory of the late Johnny Cleary and Mattie Coyne, who played central roles in the development and progression of Claremorris CCE down through the years. It was music that brought the two men together in 1940 when they formed the Castlegar Ceili Band with Pat Gill, Martin Conroy and Tom Devine and together, the group played across the West.

The band impressed audiences around the country for many years and in 1956, Johnny and Mattie joined Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. The men won several titles in Scor, both at provincial and national level and were recognised as the undisputed kings of music in the West.

After Johnny passed away in 1987 Mattie continued with his involvement in music and in CCE and served as the Chairman of Mayo Comhaltas for some time. Remembering Johnny and Mattie and the wonderful things they did for traditional music in Claremorris, Mayo and Ireland, Claremorris CCE are proud to be able to commemorate their lives in such a suitable manner and in so doing, are confident that the legacy of Johnny and Mattie will live on forever.

Programme for 2014

Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th October 2014

Cong Festival - Family Event   ** CANCELLED **

The Cong Festival takes place throughout the village of Cong from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th October. It is an exiting event which cater for all ages. There will be live concerts at the Lodge inside Ashford Castle and at Inisfree DOME Marquee, a special ball -the Inisfree Masquerade Ball- at the Lodge inside Ashford Castle, a market and a craft fair, some food demonstrations and the Ford Vintage car display.

The children will have fun joining in the treasure hunt, the spooky lantern walk and the story time organised by the children of the Cong, Cross, The Neale and Clonbur National Schools.

Adults will enjoy the launch of a new book about 'The Cross of Cong' by the author Griffin Murray, the illustrated talk about the life of writer, actor and singer Richard Hayward by the journalist and author Paul Clements and the walk & talk, a circular walk to the Pigeon Hole Cave with local history and nature along the way. Come and discover much more!

Bank Holiday Weekend in October

The Kenny/Naughton Autumn School - Traditional Culture.

The Kenny/Naughton Autumn School commemorates the lives, works and times of two very distinguished Irish writers, Bill Naughton and PD Kenny, from the Aghamore area. The school, which takes place annually over the October Bank Holiday weekend, consists of lectures, readings, local tours, workshops, new publications, drama and entertainment.

Bank Holiday Weekend in October

RoolaBoola

RoolaBoola is one of the best children's arts festivals in Ireland and it takes place annually in Castlebar at The Linenhall Arts Centre. It is very well known for its high selection of national and international children's theatre, music and dance shows, but also for its arts events.

Children's book readings, exhibitions, street performances and hands-on-arts workshops are offered to the youngsters of every age and their families.

October 25 to 31 over the bank holiday week-end.

Hallowe’en Fest at Westport House - Family Fun

The annual Halloween Fest at Westport House will take place from October 25 to 31 over the bank holiday week-end.

Westport House will be transformed in a scary house.

This frightening Family Fun Event offers you and your family a good range of activities you can choose from.

At Pirate Adventure Park you will experience the Westport House Express train and the scary swinging ship crowded of'spirits'.

There will be also workshops such as the story-telling with the White Witch, Jack O'Lantern Carving, Spooky Spoons workshop where you will cook scary new recipes and in the Dining Room of Westport House you will move and dance as a zombie learning from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video.

Come down dressed to impress and the Lord of the Darkness and his friends will ensure you frighteningly good.

October 25 to 30 over the bank holiday week-end.

Scary Woods Walks in Ballina - Family Fun Event

Samhain Abhainn Festival Ballina

This scary event will take place in Ballina's Beleek Woods on the evenings from Tuesday 28 October to Thursday 30 October.

The forest will turn into a ghoulish realm where the spine-tingling, blood chilling and hair raising Scary Woods Walks are waiting for you.

Tours run between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on each of the three nights.

Families will find much more at Samhain Abhainn Festival: mini monsters treasure hunt, Halloween Samba, fancy dress, workshops and music.

Sunday 26th October

Fireworks Extravaganza   ** CANCELLED **

Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Sunday of October Bank Holiday Weekend at 7pm, on the front lawn of Westport House.

There will be also a scary Halloween dance and a costume competition both adults and childrens' categories!