Mini Meet in Mayo a colourful carnival

MINI MADNESS The lawn of Westport House was transformed at the weekend as the venue hosted the International Mini-Meet 2017.  Pic: Westport House

Áine Ryan

MINIS in Mayo were more major than minor for an international event that attracted 1,850 of the cute cars to the lawns of Westport House over the weekend. From Mini Coopers to Mini Mokes to Mini Clubman Estates and Austin Minis there was a carnival of the dinky little vehicles parading the byways and boreens of west Mayo for the annual International Mini Meet 2017.
With ideal weather conditions for treasure hunts and odysseys out through the Doolough Valley and on to scenic Leenane, the 2,250 participants had such a ball, some of them have pulled their handbrakes up and are refusing to leave the heritage town, by all accounts.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, Joe Whyte, of the Irish Mini Owners Club, said there had been a standing ovation on Saturday night during the president’s address.
“It was acknowledged that this has been the best Mini Meet ever. Coincidentally, it was 20 years since the last Mini Meet was held in Ireland. It was in Bandon, Co Cork, in 1997. Everyone was so impressed by the wonderful scenery in the area which was matched by the great welcome they received,” Mr Whyte said.  
From Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, Mr Whyte owns four Minis dating from 1964  to 1980.   
“The majority of the participants, who came from all over the globe, left yesterday (Monday) at lunchtime but we have 34 Australians staying in The Helm down at Westport Quay and they don’t want to go home,” he added.
While many of the visitors camped in the grounds of Westport House, others stayed in local hotels and B&Bs. The biggest ‘Big Red Barn’ constructed to date by Donal Byrne of Ballyhaunis, facilitated the festivities held on the historic estate. Some 2,000 visitors from around Co Mayo and further afield joined in with the festivities on Sunday.

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