Six things to do in Mayo this June Bank Holiday weekend

Irish Independent

27-05-2025

While sweltering May sunshine has long departed, there will still be plenty to do in Mayo this Bank Holiday weekend.
With only the diehards likely to venture north to Omagh to see the struggling Mayo senior football team take on Tyrone, we picked out six of the best non-football-related things to do in Mayo this June Bank Holiday weekend.
Mayo Pride
Ten years on from the historic marriage equality referendum, Westport has established itself as the hippest, most progressive town in Mayo.
Rainbow flags adorn the windows of local premises all-year round. So, it is only fitting that Westport will again be the centre of all things 'Pride' as the town gets ready to host Mayo Pride.
The event itself is not one big spectacle, but several – 20, to be precise.
Some of the highlights include of the four-day-long festivities include the Pride Boat Cruise on Clew Bay, the Pop-Up Gay Bar at the Clock Tavern, The Big Gay Hike up Croagh Patrick and the showpiece Mayo Pride Parade.
Mayo Pride runs from Friday, May 30 to Monday, June 2. More information on Mayo Pride can be found at: www.mayopride.com.
Mr Whippy returns to Clare Island
He's back.
No, not the Terminator, Mr Whippy, aka Dermot McCabe, the man who has turned his 52-year-old ice cream van into a musical sound system that's bringing three days and nights of entertainment to Clare Island to this Bank Holiday weekend.
The craic takes place at Bay View House and Sailor's Bar Beer-Garden, bedecked with neon palm, a sparkling mirror-ball, festival lights and colourful bunting, which will rock to the pulse of music selected by vinyl record collectors played through Mr Whippy's high-quality sound-system, which was hand-made at Cologne's VAS Audio workshop.
'Clare Island's magical feeling of 'time out of time' really lends to this unique ambiance,' said Mr Whippy. 'We have people from Belfast counting down the days to come back to Clare Island and digitally detox in the company of friends, old and new, and last year a couple travelled from the Portuguese island of Madeira to join in the Weekender.'
The ferry crossing from Roonagh Pier to Clare Island takes is €17 return for foot passengers with www.clareislandferry.com.
Mr Whippy Soundsystem plays on Clare Island from Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1.
Westport Horse and Pony Show
While Westport will be hopping to the beat of Mayo Pride, they'll be clip-clopping out the road in the renowned Drummindoo Stud, which will be the go-to place for horse lovers this weekend.
Since 1967, Westport Horse and Pony Show (not be confused with the centuries old Westport Horse Fair) has is one of the most popular horse shows in Mayo.
On Saturday June 1, some of the finest mares, foals and fillies in the region will be on display in a variety of classes, including brood mares and foals, young horses, thoroughbreds, Irish draughts, and ponies.
This show is not just for the equine aficionados though. With live music, face painting, pony rides, sheep showcases and much more, Westport Horse and Pony Show has something for all the family this weekend.
More information can be found on Westport Horse and Pony Show's Facebook page.
Ballyhaunis Summer Festival
There's plenty happening east of Clew Bay, you can be sure of that.
Look no further than the Ballyhaunis Summer Festival, which kicks off this Wednesday, June 27 and runs right through until Sunday June 1.
There'll be fun for all ages in those five days, starting with crazy bingo in the local rugby club on Wednesday evening, followed by an interpub quiz on the Thursday and a performance from well-known Mayo vocal group, Coda, in the historic surrounds of St Mary's Abbey (The Friary).
The festivities will shift gears again on Saturday with the Festival's Fittest Family at the GAA grounds at 12pm. Later on, motoring enthusiasts will gather for the Mayo Motor Meet at Johnston's Car Park (An Lochan).
The festival concludes with a bang on Sunday with a kid's fun day from 1pm-4pm followed by live music on Knox Street from 7pm.
No prizes for guessing where the heart of east Mayo will beat for the next few days.
Ballintubber Abbey welcomes University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir
What's the only thing better than hearing one of America's best chamber choirs perform in one Mayo's finest churches? Not having to pay to see them, of course!
Performing in Mayo as part of their 2025 tour of Ireland, the University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir will join the Mayo Male Voice Choir in the historic setting of Ballintubber Abbey this Sunday for a not-to-be-missed evening of choral singing.
Touring Ireland for the tenth time, the USI Chamber Choir will bring an eclectic array of choral music from sacred, to folk, and Irish traditional music.
The concert beings on Sunday June 1, at 8pm (doors open 7pm) and while admission is free, all donations at the door will go towards the Ballintubber Abbey Restoration Fund.
Ballintubber Abbey is set to undergo a multi-million-euro refurbishment that will see the construction of a state-of-the-art visitor centre at the abbey, which was founded back in 1216.
George Murphy and The Rising Sons
He made his name as a contestant on 'On You're A Star' during the peak of the Celtic Tiger.
More than 20 years on, the man once compared by the great Phil Coulter to the legendary Luke Kelly is one of Ireland's best-known folk singers.
This Saturday, Murphy brings some of the country's best folk musicians to Castlebar in the latest leg of his tour.
Having shared the stage with Aslan and the High Kings over the years, Murphy's latest project sees him front a band of eight musicians delivering a unique blend of whistles, fiddles, banjos, electric guitars, bass, and percussion.
Featuring original compositions and their unique take on old folk favourites, George Murphy and The Risings Sons promise a performance 'that will linger in your memory, showcasing the unparalleled energy and charm' that Murphy and his new band brings to the stage.
The show commences at 9pm on Saturday, May 31, with doors at 8pm.