Third annual Féile MacGréil to take place in Westport

The third annual Féile MacGréil gets underway in Westport on Thursday, March 5, at 7 pm with the launch in The Cobblers, Wyatt Hotel by Justine Ní Ghréil Hafferty, niece of the late An tAthair Micheál Mac Gréil, SJ.

The Féile celebrates the work of the well-known Westport Jesuit sociologist who passed away in 2023. At the launch, Dr Mark Garavan will speak briefly about the work of Micheál Mac Gréil, while Stephanie McKinnon from Westport Family Resource Centre will outline how his work is implemented on the ground. Eoghan Murphy, ATU, will chair proceedings. Refreshments will be served. All welcome.

For the first time, the Féile moves to Conamara on Friday evening (March 6) with Tráthnóna Laoithe do Mhac Gréil - a musical and poetic celebration - in Hamilton’s Bar, Leenane from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Éamon Ó Cuív will speak on Micheál Mac Gréil’s links with Conamara, as Guardian of the Patrician pilgrimage site Máméan and whose mother came from Cur, Maam Valley. All are welcome.

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Westport is the venue on Saturday (March 7) with Mass in St Mary’s Church at 10 am. Author Brian Keenan (An Evil Cradling) will speak in Westport Town Hall at 3 pm on his memories of Micheál. Brian stayed in Micheál’s cottage in Loughloon when he was released after more than four years as a hostage in Beirut. Refreshments will be served, and everybody is welcome.

ATU Castlebar will also honour Micheál Mac Gréil by examining his work as part of an internal student learning event on immigration and prejudice on Tuesday, March 10.

The Féile committee is grateful to The Wyatt Hotel, Westport; St Mary’s Parish, Westport; Westport Family Resource Centre; Westport Town Hall; ATU Castlebar Campus; Midwest Radio and The Mayo News for their support.

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