Calendar of Events & Upcoming Westport Events / Festivals

Ride and Tide Challenge Event

Category: Adventure Sports
Dates: 24 & 25th February 2012 / 19 & 20th October 2012 / 16 & 17 November 2012
Ride and Tide Challenge is an equestrian event combining cross country and endurance riding with orienteering by horseback from island to island in Clew bay. It is an exhilarating riding experience for both horse and riders.
For more information:
T. 098 29306
W. www.gotrekking.ie

Croagh Patrick Heritage trail Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 23 - 25th March 2012
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Festival is a 3-day guided walk along the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail from Balla to Murrisk at the base of Mayo’s holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. The trail is 61km and transport will be provided to and from the start/finish points each day.
For more information:
W. www.croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com

Easter Walking Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 06 – 09th April 2012
Easter walking festival with Croagh Patrick Walking Tours.
For more information:
T. 098 26090
W. www.mayowalks.ie

Achill Walks Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 04 – 07 May 2012
The Achill walks festival is an annual event with guided walks which take in sites of archaeological & historical interest as well as the great natural beauty of the island.
For more information:
T. 098 20705
W. www.achilltourism.com

Féile Chois Cuain

Category: Music Festivals
Dates: 04 – 07 May 2012
Féile Chois Cuain takes place in Louisburgh and includes traditional Irish music, song & dance
For more information:
T. 087 2412511
W. www.feilechoiscuain.com

Connemara Adventure Challenge

Category: Adventure sports
Dates: Saturday 12th May 2012
The Race will take the format of Gaelforce West with 3 disciplines; trail/mountain running, kayaking and cycling. It is almost half the distance of Gaelforce at approx 31km and is open to racers of all levels.
For more information:
T. 095 42006
W. www.gaelforceevents.com

Leenane Mountain Walking Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 04 – 06th May 2012
Enjoy a unique combination of mountains and sea, and join us for a weekend of stunning mountain and coastal walks, with great chat & company. Talk to the local farmers who will be your guides over their land, meet the villagers on the walks & enjoy everything Leenane has to offer
For more information:
T. 095 43411
W. www.eventelephant.com

Tri-Burgh Race – Louisburgh

Category: Adventure Sports
Dates: 02nd June 2012
Tri-Burgh is a standard Olympic distance Triathlon. It is set in some amazing scenery and includes some challenges specific to the geography of West Mayo
For more information:
T. 086 8222838
W. www.triburgh.ie

Castlebar Blues Festival

Category: Music
Dates: 01 – 04th June 2012
Castlebar Blues Festival is the longest running Blues festival in Ireland. There is free music in all the main pubs and headline acts perform in the Royal Theatre. Traditionally, a lively weekend of music with artists from all over the world.
For more information:
E. castlebarblues@gmail.com
W. www.castlebarblues.com

Westport Horse & Pony Show

Category: Equestrian
Dates: TBA
Dating back to 1741 Westport Horse & pony show has been an annual favourite among locals and visitors alike.
For more information:
T. 098 28940
W. www.drummindoo.com

Westport International Sea Angling Festival

Category: Angling Festivals
Dates: Wednesday 20th June 2012
Angling Festival: Friday 22nd – 24th June 2012
A festival of sea angling, a one day on-shore event and a three day boat event & is one of the longest running sea angling events in Europe.
For more information:
T. 087 7656202
W. www.westportseaanglingfestival.eu

Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival

Category: Music Festivals
Dates: 29th June – 01st July 2012
Now in its 6th year, the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best boutique music festivals in Ireland
For more information:
T. 087 7570958
W. www.westportfolkandbluegrass.com

Castlebar International 4 Day walking festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 28th June – 01st July 2012
Four days of walking, talking, music, song, rambling & dance a time to form friendships with kindred spirits! There are 10km, 20km, 30km & 40k walks and a 6 hour ramble.
For more information:
T. 094 902 4102
W. www.castlebar4dayswalks.com

Achill Half Marathon

Category: Adventure Sports
Dates: 07th July 2012
Now in its 6th year, Achill welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities to join in the Achill Half Marathon on 7th July 2012, and it begins at 11.00am
For more information:
T. 086 3251619
W. www.achillmarathon.com

Ballina Salmon Festival

Category: Fishing
Dates: 08 – 15th July 2012
Ballina Salmon Festival is Ireland’s premier family orientated festival giving thousands of people eight days of fun filled artistic and cultural events catering for all age groups. The Lady of the Moy competition and the street festival are among many highlights.
For more information:
T. 096 79814
W. www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie

Feile Bia Na Mara – Achill Seafood Festival

Category: Fishing
Dates: 19 – 22nd July 2012
Achill Seafood Festival is a weekend of fun and feasting to celebrate Achill’s rich maritime heritage and seafood culture.
For more information:
T. 098 47353
W. www.feilebianamara.ie

Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage

Category: Walking
Dates: Sunday 29th July 2012
Located approximately 15 minutes drive from Westport on the Louisburgh Road, Croagh Patrick (The Reek) is one of Mayo’s most famous landmarks. For thousands of years, people have been climbing this mountain on pilgrimage, some even in bare feet!
For more information:
T. 098 25711
W. www.croagh-patrick.com

Westport Music Festival

Category: Music Festivals
Dates: 03 – 05th August 2012
The popular Westport Music Festival is a family-orientated festival running nightly with music acts to suit all age groups and tastes.
For more information:
T. 098 25711
W. www.westportmusicfestival.com

Westport Heritage Day

Category: Heritage
Dates: 05th August 2012
Traditional food & craft demonstration, vintage card, guided tours of Westport and much much more. A great day out for all the family.
For more information:
T. 098 27375
W. www.westportheritage.com

National Heritage Week

Category: Heritage
Dates: 18 – 26th August 2012
There is lots of fun in store for everyone during National Heritage Week. From medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. There’s something for everyone!
For more information:
W. www.heritageweek.ie

Achill Summer Walks Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: 24 – 27th August 2012
Explore the secluded beaches, hills and secrets of Achill’s stunning landscape during this walking festival, there are walks of all levels and are guided by a fully qualified local guide.
For more information:
T. 098 20705
W. www.achilltourism.com

Gaelforce West

Category: Athletics
Dates: 17 & 18th August 2012
The Gaelforce West is a multi-sport adventure race involving cycling, running and kayaking! It is one of the largest one day adventure race of its kind in the world.
For more information:
T. 095 43411
W. www.gaelforceevents.com

Westport Food Festival

Category: Food Festivals
Dates: 31st August – 02nd September 2012
For more information:
T. 086 8075383
W. www.westportfoodfestival.ie

Meet on the Reek

Category: Walking
Dates: To be announced
Meet on the Reek promises a jam packed weekend of fun, games, with a novel outdoor pursuit with additional social activities encouraging interaction between singles, centered around climbing Croagh Patrick (The Reek) in Westport, County Mayo.
For more information:
T. 086 807 5383
W. www.meetonthereek.ie

Westport Horse Fair

Category: Agricultural shows
Dates: TBA
Many classes of horses and ponies will be on show a fun day for all the family.
For more information:
T. 098 28940
W. www.drummindoo.com

Westport Arts Festival

Category: Arts Festivals
Dates: 28th September – 07th October 2012
A long established, locally organised festival for the enjoyment of all tourists & locals alike, & promises to be an exciting & diverse event.
For more information:
T. 098 27375
W. www.westportartsfestival.com

The Helm Skate Festival

Category: Angling Festivals
Dates: Saturday 6th October 2012
The Helm Skate Festival is an angling festival for all species of Skate in the Clew Bay area. Anglers from all over Europe come to try to get the catch of the day: One of Clew Bay's Monster Skate!!
For more information:
T. 098 26194
W. www.thehelm.ie

RoolaBoola Children’s Arts Festival

Category: Arts Festivals
Dates: 27 – 29th October 2012
Featuring the finest children’s shows and hands on arts workshops wrapped up in a lot of fun for children and all the family
For more information:
T. 094 902 3733
W. www.thelinenhall.com

The Halloween Festival at Westport House

Category: Arts Festivals
Dates: 24th October – 04th November 2012
The spook-tacular Halloween festival takes place in Westport House and is fun for children of all ages.
For more information:
T. 098 27766
W. www.westporthouse.ie

Westport Sea 2 Summit Adventure Race

Category: Adventure sports
Dates: 03rd November 2012
The Westport Sea 2 Summit Adventure Race will take place on Saturday 03rd November 2012. This Adventure Race will cater for beginner, intermediate and advanced athletes, a mix of road running, cycling and a mountain hike.
For more information:
T. 098 55088
W. www.westportsea2summit.ie

Shop ‘n sproi na nollag

Category: Events
Dates: December 2012 to be announced
Westport Mall is transformed into a winter wonderland and shoppers paradise, where visitors can purchase handmade, authentic and unique Christmas presents for all the family.
For more information:
T. 098 26555
W. www.westportmarket.ie

Christmas Walking Festival

Category: Walking
Dates: December 2012 – To be announcedd
Based in Westport, this is a fun and healthy way to walk off the Christmas Pudding! With outdoor pursuits for young and old and a choice of walks to suit all fitness levels.
For more information:
T. 098 260905

Other

Westport War Games

Category: Events
Dates: Open all year round
Exhilerating Military style outdoor adventure. Great fun for all over 16's, groups, corporates & parties.
For more information:
T. 098 21886
E. westportwargames@hotmail.com

Westport Heritage Walks

Category: Events
Dates: Open all year round
Westport Historical Society has arranged guided walks of Westport. Walks start at 11am on Thursdays from the Clock Tower at the top of Bridge Street. The charge is €6 per adult and children are free of charge if accompanied by an adult.
For more information:
T. 098 268526
E. westportheritage@eircom.net

National Famine Memorial Day

Category: Events
Murrisk is home to the evocative Namipnal Famine Monument. The sculpture by John Behan depicts a ‘Coffin Ship’ with skeletal bodies and commemorates the Great Famine.of the 1840’s and is the largest bronze sculpture in Ireland and will likely form a central part of the memorial day.

For upcoming events, festivals, entertainment in Westport and things to do in Westport during your family holidays in Mayo, please visit www.discoverireland.ie/Places-To-Go/Westport.

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