Cox's Bar and Restaurant was located on Tucker Street in Castlebar.
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17 Apr 2026
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17 Apr 2026
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Pictured are the Circus250. Photo Credit: Alison Laredo
A Mayo-based performance company is calling for a new bank holiday in honour of pirate queen, Grace O’Malley.
Circus250, who describe themselves as an ‘Achill-based troupe’, host circus performances across the county.
“We’ve only got one bank holiday named after a woman, and she was a saint,” says Circus250 director Dea Birkett, referring to St Brigid's Day on February 1.
“We need to have a day named after a real woman from Connaught, in celebration of Ireland’s women and their strong heritage.”
From May 22 to 24, Circus250 are set to stage the first ‘Grace O’Malley Festival’, which will include an aerial circus performance set on Grace’s galley, a talk by her biographer Anne Chamber and a concert by singer Camille O’Sullivan.
READ MORE: Hugely popular Mayo Bar and Restaurant announces its closure
The Achill-based company have said they want ‘the iconic queen of the West to be recognised nationally by a public holiday.’
“It would be good to have a bank holiday around the Autumn Equinox in September,” says Dea Birkett.
“A day of celebrating our heritage would be a welcome break before the darkness of winter sets in,” she added.
Further details of the festival are available at www.circus250.org.
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