BACKING An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gives his backing to the Mayo Manchester Charity Tradfest, with from left: Kieran Packer, Senator Michelle Mulherin, organiser Tony Hennigan and Hannah Jordan. The Mayo Manchester Charity Tradfest takes place on Saturday, August 5, at the Ballina Arts Centre and is just one of the highlights of the six-day festival which features over 500 performers at over 100 events in Mayo. It is Ireland’s biggest tradfest and runs from Thursday, August 3 to Wednesday, August 9.
Áine Ryan
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar’s first official visit to Mayo was very much a series of social events with the county and region’s economic needs strictly off the agenda.
Mr Varadkar was the guest of Senator Michelle Mulherin who had invited him to attend the annual Fine Gael Madhatter’s barbecue in Maughan’s of Crossmolina. Held on Saturday last, Mr Varadkar also attended a number of other functions in Ballina. He officiated at the north Mayo capital’s Lions Club’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ event, held in the Great National Hotel and the launch in the rugby club of the Active Community Network’s new Ballina office. He also met Mayo Manchester Tradfest promoter, Tony Hennigan and the Unity FI in Schools finalist team from St Muredach’s Secondary School.
“There was a massive crowd at the barbecue in Crossmolina with a great outpouring of affection for him from the people in attendance. He enjoyed the welcome and the hospitality very much,” Senator Mulherin told The Mayo News yesterday.
Varadkar visit to Mayo is strictly social
