Sinn Féin to hold Ard Fheis in Castlebar this weekend

Sinn Féin to hold Ard Fheis in Castlebar this weekend


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Sinn Féin is to hold its Ard Fheis in Castlebar’s Royal Theatre will this weekend. It will be the first time the party’s annual conference is held in Connacht.
With up to 3,000 party members and supporters expected to attend over the two days, along with international speakers, the Ard Fheis will be worth a potential €1 million to the Castlebar economy.
Speaking earlier this year, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “The west and rural Ireland has been blighted for generations by unemployment and emigration. Government mishandling of the economy has further impacted on communities in the west. Sinn Féin has a vision for reawakening the west. We have an alternative that would work and we look forward to bringing that alternative message to the region.”
Deputy McDonald attended a civic reception at Lough Lannagh, Castlebar yesterday (Monday), held by Castlebar Town Council to welcome the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to its town at the weekend.
Speaking ahead of his party’s annual conference Cllr Gerry Murray said Sinn Féin had a long association with Mayo going back to the days of the Land Leagues, Michael Davitt, Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan, who died on hunger strike.
Cllr Murray also referred to the fact that the Ard Fheis was being held in the same month the Jackie Clarke Collection was opened. “It is great that we are in Mayo to celebrate the huge gift Jackie has given to Mayo and the country,” said the councillor.
Cllr Murray also said that unemployment, emigration, the Common Agricultural Policy and natural resources would be among the the areas discussed at the weekend.

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