Ballina Fleadh bid receives backing of major sponsor

BALLINA’S bid to host the biggest traditional Irish music festival in the world has received the backing of two major sponsors. 

Local employer Hollister have pledged to sponsor Ballina’s hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann should the North Mayo town secure the hosting of the 2028 event. 

A public meeting held in Ballina back in February heard that hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will cost €2 million but could potentially be worth €60 million to the local economy. 

The ten-day festival attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors each year, with over 30 percent coming from overseas. 

Hollister Site Director Paul O’Malley expressed the company's excitement in supporting the event, stating that it would be ‘a valuable addition to the vibrant town of Ballina’. 

The company is a major manufacturer of healthcare products employs hundreds of people in the region at its Ballina facility. 

Eamonn Walsh, PRO of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann’s Ballina branch, has called on Mayo associations and business people to emulate Hollister's support for the event.

“The All-Ireland Fleadh will benefit the whole of Co Mayo and further afield, particularly Knock Airport who will benefit from the thousands of visitors from overseas to the Fleadh,” said Mr Walsh

He paid tribute to former CEO of Moy Valley Resources Billy Lewis, Oliver Rouse and Paddy O’Hora who worked tirelessly alongside Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann and said that, without their support, the 1997 and 1998 All-Ireland Fleadh in Ballina would have faced huge challenges.

Over 1,500 volunteers were required to organise the Fleadh, which involved 182 competitions with 6,000 competitors competing for All-Ireland titles.

At least 16 indoor venues and 20 outdoor locations in Ballina have been identified as potential venues to host the various competitions and events at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The town hosted the Connacht Fleadh in 2023.