North Mayo promoted as Wild Atlantic Way destination at Belfast holiday show

Mayo North Tourism represented the north of the county as part of a wider Mayo delegation at the Holiday World Show in Belfast, held last weekend, with further promotion planned at the Dublin Holiday World Show taking place from January 23-25.

Attendance at both events is being coordinated by Mayo.ie, with the Mayo delegation in Belfast comprising representatives from Mayo County Council, Mayo North Tourism, Achill Tourism, GlobalVAM, The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar, and Knock House Hotel. The Holiday World Shows are regarded as key consumer-facing events, attracting large audiences from Northern Ireland, Dublin, and surrounding counties who are planning domestic and overseas travel.

The Belfast show is seen as an important opportunity to engage with the Northern Ireland market, which remains one of Mayo’s strongest visitor source markets. Factors such as ease of access, cultural connections, and demand for short breaks and off-season travel continue to position Mayo as an attractive destination. Coastal scenery, outdoor activities, wellness tourism, and Dark Sky experiences were among the key themes promoted.

Mayo North Tourism’s participation in the Belfast event followed recent digital promotion targeting Northern Ireland audiences. In late 2025, the organisation hosted Belfast-based travel blogger Chris Connolly, known online as @explorewithcríostóir, on a visit to north Mayo. His itinerary included Ballina, Killala, Ballycastle, and Belmullet, with content shared online highlighting the region’s towns, coastline, and Dark Sky offering.

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According to Mayo North Tourism, this digital engagement complements in-person promotion at events such as the Holiday World Shows, linking online content with direct interaction with prospective visitors.

Speaking after the Belfast event, Mairéad Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, said:

“The Holiday World Show in Belfast provided a fantastic opportunity to meet visitors face-to-face and showcase everything North Mayo – and Mayo more broadly – has to offer, from our vibrant towns and coastline to our Dark Sky experiences and authentic local hospitality. 

“Much of our work happens behind the scenes, so it is especially rewarding to step forward and connect directly with people as they plan their Mayo escape. This level of promotion would not be possible without the strength of the Mayo delegation and the ongoing support of Maura Murphy and Mayo County Council.”

The Dublin Holiday World Show, expected to attract thousands of visitors, will provide a further platform to promote Mayo as a destination for both short breaks and longer stays along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Photo caption: Representatives of the Mayo delegation at the Holiday World Show Belfast pictured above, from left: Loretto Masterson (The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar), Mairéad Melody Carr (Mayo North Tourism), Chris McCarthy (Achill Tourism), Maura Murphy (Mayo County Council), Eithne Cosgrove, (Knock House Hotel), Catherine Kilbane and Mary B. Gallagher (Achill Tourism).

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