WELCOME TO BALLINA SALMON FESTIVAL
One of the largest, family-friendly community-based festivals in the West of Ireland
Welcome to Ballina Salmon Festival!
Now in its 54th year, Ballina Salmon Festival is one of the West of Ireland’s longest running family festivals, attracting crowds of over 250,000 annually to the North Mayo Capital.
The festival was originally named the ‘Moy Salmon Festival’, based on the fact that Ballina was home to one of the best rivers in Ireland, with the best fishing waters and salmon in the country. This is of course the case to this day, and Ballina, with its strong fishing heritage is known today as the ‘Salmon Capital of Ireland’.
Ballina Salmon Festival is proud of its diverse programme, community ethos and family focus. One third of our festival’s programme is dedicated solely to children, making Ballina the perfect holiday destination for visiting families during festival week. New events are introduced annually to keep the festival fresh and exciting.
Ballina Salmon Festival aims to celebrate Ballina life along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way – our past, our present and our future. We aim to showcase Ballina and the stunning natural beauty surrounding us in the North Mayo region to the world.
In working with our local artists, musicians and volunteers, we wish to celebrate in our diverse festival programme our talents, our culture, our heritage and our unique status as the Salmon Capital of Ireland.
Ballina Salmon Festival is a time to welcome home our Mayo diaspora and open our arms to new visitors. It is our wish that if you arrive as a stranger, you leave as a lifelong friend.
Ballina Salmon Festival takes place from 8th – 15th July 2018.
We look forward to welcoming you!
SCHEDULE
A Full Schedule Of All The Events This Year
Ballina Agricultural Show
Though not a Ballina Salmon Festival event, it's a tradition that Ballina Agricultural Show happens at the start of Festival week. We're delighted to see them back this year after a brief hiatus, bringing with them a great day-long programme, and we're looking forward to a great day of authentic Irish agri-fun. Admission €10 per adult. Children accompanied by an adult go free.
MORE INFOBallina Salmon Festival Opening Event - To be announced!
We've a brand new event in place this year for opening day. In keeping with the community ethos of our festival, and in a throwback to festival weeks bygone, it's designed to get our locals out and about and competing fiercely for pride, honour and a title to be cherished! Expect lots of laughs, some serious competition, a dubious title or two and a great evening out.
Announcement coming soon!Bog O'The Loughs LIVE
After our opening event on Sunday 8th July, make a night of it with some live music in the Military Quarter July get your dancing shoes on for Ireland’s liveliest Celtic Rock band Bog O’The Loughs LIVE! "The Bogs" are one of the best bands on the scene and will get Ballina Salmon Festival 2018 off to a rockin' start.
MORE INFOHistorical Walking Tour of Ballina
Ballina is a town with a colourful, fascinating history dating back thousands of years. What better way to learn about that history than to embark on a walking tour of Ballina with one of our very own local historians? Carmel Hughes on her fascinating tour will point out landmarks and buildings of historical interest and share some of the fascinating stories of our market town's history. Tours start at 11am sharp from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street (opposite the Jackie Clarke Collection) and admission is FREE.
MORE INFOHistorical Walking Tour of Ballina
Ballina is a town with a colourful, fascinating history dating back thousands of years. What better way to learn about that history than to embark on a walking tour of Ballina with one of our very own local historians? Carmel Hughes on her fascinating tour will point out landmarks and buildings of historical interest and share some of the fascinating stories of our market town's history. Tours start at 11am sharp from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street (opposite the Jackie Clarke Collection) and admission is FREE.
MORE INFOA Night At the Proms - Great National Hotel Ballina
Join us in the gorgeous Nephin Suite of the Great National Hotel for our second Night At the Proms. An eclectic evening of song, showcasing Ballina’s proud choral heritage in one magnificent performance. Expect some special guests and a wonderful evening of musical celebration. Dress for the occasion, sip a glass of wine and savour some local food as our talented choirs put on an unforgettable musical experience.
Tickets on sale soon!National Heritage Day (Main Event), Ballina Town Centre
One of the cornerstones of Ballina Salmon Festival, and an original concept, National Heritage Day is an immersive experience developed by the festival committee over 25 years ago. Don a costume, step back in time and learn the ancient crafts and feast your sense of the sights. sounds and smells of a market day from the early 20th century.
MORE INFOBallina Soroptomists Festival of Flowers
For the 25th year, the Ballina Soroptomists host their Festival of Flowers in the Methodist Church. Enjoy a blooming beautiful display of fresh flowers, put together by a number of local groups and organisations. The theme this year: "By the Light of the Silvery Moon".
MORE INFOBALLINA FRINGE FESTIVAL EVENT - The 10 Dark Secrets of 1798
North Mayo and the Rebellion of 1798 are closely linked, and we're delighted to welcome Paddy Cullivan of Callan’s Kicks, The Late Late Show, Leviathan and Kilkenomics to town as part of Ballina Fringe Fest, which runs alongside Ballina Salmon Festival this year. Paddy brings you an audiovisual spectacular 220 years after the rebellion that changed Ireland forever. Using Satire, Imagery, Historical Insight and Song - Paddy reveals the 10 strangest things (and Darkest Secrets) that happened before, during and after the insurrection that (briefly) united Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter. He also draws parallels with those events’ effects on modern Ireland in a story that unfolds like an addictive thriller…
BOOK TICKETSHistorical Walking Tour of Ballina
Ballina is a town with a colourful, fascinating history dating back thousands of years. What better way to learn about that history than to embark on a walking tour of Ballina with one of our very own local historians? Carmel Hughes on her fascinating tour will point out landmarks and buildings of historical interest and share some of the fascinating stories of our market town's history. Tours start at 11am sharp from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street (opposite the Jackie Clarke Collection) and admission is FREE.
MORE INFOLive Music in the Military Quarter
Surprise act to be announced!
Historical Walking Tour of Ballina
Ballina is a town with a colourful, fascinating history dating back thousands of years. What better way to learn about that history than to embark on a walking tour of Ballina with one of our very own local historians? Carmel Hughes on her fascinating tour will point out landmarks and buildings of historical interest and share some of the fascinating stories of our market town's history. Tours start at 11am sharp from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street (opposite the Jackie Clarke Collection) and admission is FREE.
MORE INFOLive Music
To be announced!
Festival Mardi Gras & Fireworks Spectacular at Ballina Salmon Festival (Main Event)
Join up to 25,000 people in Mayo’s biggest street party! Enjoy an incredible explosion of colour, Latin rhythms, street theatre and dance at the electrifying Ballina Salmon Festival Mardi Gras. Round off your night with a magnificent fireworks display over the River Moy, against the background of the iconic St. Muredach’s Cathedral.
MORE INFOCHILDREN'S EVENT: The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Tom Ruane Park, Sligo Road
If you go down to the woods today – you’re in for a BIG SURPRISE! Round off an incredible week with one Ballina Salmon Festival’s best-loved children's events in our beautiful Town Park on the banks of the river.
MORE INFOVIDEO GALLERY
2018 MAIN SPONSORS
Ballina Salmon Festival could not take place without the help of our sponsors and supporters – thank you to everyone who supports our festival!
