BALLINA

After our opening event on Sunday 8th July, make a night of it with some live music in the town centre. Local band The Kerbs are Mark McHale (vocals & guitar), Alex Stupar (lead guitar), Noel Gallagher (bass guitar), and Kevin Holmes (drums). They are making waves with their unique alternative rock sound. 2017 saw them excite crowds at sell-out shows in their home county and in Dublin while their music received airplay on iRadio, RTE2XM, KCLR 96FM, & 8Radio to name a few. 2018 is proving even more exciting with more sell-out live shows, new single release ('Creep'), and the much-anticipated release of their debut EP later this Summer. Afterwards 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 party off to a rockin' start. And if you can't get enough, catch them afterwards in the Shambles Bar in Ballina Manor Hotel.

An absolutely cracking afternoon of fun and fitness challenges is in store as Ballina's biggest obstacle course challenges anyone who wants to take part! Prepare to roll up your sleeves and "muck in" to seek glory for yourself and your team!

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.

***EVENT UPDATE*** Due to the recent phenomenal weather and resulting shallow waters in the River Moy, we've had to reschedule The Moy Swim to Thursday 12th July at 6pm SHARP. Registration will take place at the Ham Bridge from 5pm to 5.30pm. Free t-shirt for the first 100 swimmers.

FREE fun swimming session for children aged 8-12.

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.

Ever wanted to put your life story into words? Here’s your opportunity. Author and historian Terry Reilly will facilitate an informal workshop on memoir writing as part of Ballina Salmon Festival.

An hour of fun creating a keepsake out of clay ! The children will make a clay frame or pencil holder using easy to use air drying clay,which they can decorate and take home. Lots of engaging and imaginative play! Suitable for ages 6+.

The children will make a cardboard monster of their own design with amazing moving parts! They will use different materials to decorate the monsters ready to take home . Creative and fun, suitable for age 6 plus.

Children will love these fun fitness workshops that will benefit both body and mind.

This town centre stage will feature daily lunchtime concerts featuring the talented young members of The Core and the various Music Generation Mayo programmes. The stage will also feature young performers from throughout Mayo as The Core aims to provide a platform for young local musicians.

Learn how to use everyday household objects to create pretty plant holders using a variety of art materials in these socially interactive classes with art teacher and artist Gemma McGuinness. Suitable for: Age 5-12

Come try out some athletics! With relay races, long jump and lots more athletic fun. Suitable for children aged 5+. Children are requested to bring a drink along. No booking required. Admission: FREE

This year Ballina Salmon Festival is proud to announce a new and nostalgic event, recreating the glorious years of the "Dance Hall Days" with a twelve-piece Big Band and a fantastic mix of classic national and local acts. This wonderful event will feature a stellar line-up from days of old right up to the present with special guests as follows: ❖ For one night only, the world famous “Jack Ruane Showband” presents Judd & Jack Ruane. ❖Shaun O'Dowd (formerly Shaun O’Dowd & Ding-a-ling) ❖ Keith & Lorraine Showband Show ❖ Frankie Mc Donald, (formerly with the great Joe Dolan), ❖ The Conquerors Band featuring Tony Maher & Frankie Collahan, ❖ P.J Duffy ❖ Pearse McNamara ❖ Joe Ryan ❖ John Haugh ❖ Dave McDonnell ❖ Peter McDonald MC on the night is the inimitable Henry McGlade of The Irish At Home and Abroad. Bring your dancing shoes and dress to impress - it's going to be a cracker!! Dance floor, seating and licenced bar. ADMISSION €10 Make your way to Brennan's Lane Bar afterwards for the Meet and Greet After Party - all welcome.

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.

Learn basic martial arts skills with Harry. Suitable for children aged 5+.

An interactive, educational workshop all about the River Moy, facilitated by the Moy Trust incorporating science, ecology, river-based wildlife, flora and fauna, angling, falconry and more. Healthy refreshments served. Wear old clothing. Suitable for children aged 10+

Budding historians will gain unique access to the JCC archive and uncover the hidden treasures of the Collection. A hands-on, practical workshop. Suitable for children aged 8-12.

Create your own story through interactive games and imagination with our Ballina blogger and author, Mammy Red Head AKA Gemma McLoughlin. Suitable for children aged 5+

This town centre stage will feature daily lunchtime concerts featuring the talented young members of The Core and the various Music Generation Mayo programmes. The stage will also feature young performers from throughout Mayo as The Core aims to provide a platform for young local musicians.

Art teacher and artist Gemma will show children in this socially interactive class how to use items collected at home and the beach to create beautiful beach-themed art. Suitable for children aged 5+.

The annual Ballina Salmon Festival 5k race has become a favourite event in the festival calendar, and is held in aid of River Moy Search and Rescue, a voluntary non-profit organisation that serves the local community.

Following its phenomenal debut during festival 2017, A Night at the Proms returns for another year and this year, it will be even bigger, better and more brilliant! Dress to impress for a red carpet choral extravaganza showcasing Ballina's proud choral heritage. No fewer than NINE choirs (200 voices) will be represented on this unmissable, unforgettable night! With MC George Lee (RTÉ) and very special guests. Join us for fun and fizz from 7pm and enjoy a truly magnificent performance. ***This is a ticket-only event.

All the thrills and spills of the races - a surprise and fun event! With prizes and entertainment.

Established in 1970 to publish contemporary Irish poetry, The Gallery Press has long been recognized as the standard bearer of Irish literary publishing. As part of the inaugural Ballina Fringe Festival, Gallery Press poets Vona Groarke, Tom French and Eamon Grennan will read from their work.

Enjoy a plethora of heritage and cultural activities in the Jackie Clarke Collection on Heritage Day, including olde-word Heritage Games in the Courtyard all day as part of National Heritage Day. Heritage Arts and Crafts with Ballina Costume Company. Try hula hoops, skipping, hopscotch, ring toss, traditional board games, "Chalk it Down" competition - use your imagination and enter our chalk pavement competition. Display of Falconry and Birds of Prey in the Walled Heritage Garden at 2pm. Suitable for all ages. Admission: FREE 2018/06/12/heritage-day-at-ballina-salmon-festival/

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 North Mayo West Sligo Heritage Group is kindly offering two guided tours of our beautiful St. Muredach's Cathedral on Cathedral road, overlooking the River Moy. The most iconic building in Ballina dates from the 1820s and a fascinating story lies within its walls. Tours are FREE and do not require booking.

Fully supervised teenage disco in the Ballina Rugby Club Clubhouse. Suitable for children aged under 15. Admission €10.

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 …

Come along and improve your swimming skills! Suitable for children aged 13-15. Admission: FREE. No booking required.

Enjoy a fun session in Ireland's largest indoor play centre, Tumble Jungle! Suitable for children of height 4ft 11in (150cm) or smaller. Admission FREE (booking essential)

This film-tastic workshop with Pat Cunnane will cover the basics of film-making – shooting, editing, captioning, music, and by the end, you should be able to make your own short movie! Suitable for children aged 10-12.

Discover the character within and create your own with Ballina blogger and author Mammy Red Head, AKA Gemma McLoughlin. Suitable for children aged 5+.

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.

Create your own ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ using materials from the Jackie Clarke Collection to tell the story of our town, our festival and of course the River Moy! A fun and creative workshop. Suitable for children aged 5-10

This town centre stage will feature daily lunchtime concerts featuring the talented young members of The Core and the various Music Generation Mayo programmes. The stage will also feature young performers from throughout Mayo as The Core aims to provide a platform for young local musicians.

Arrrr! Dress up in your best pirate costume and follow the clues to find the answers throughout the woods. Goodies for all children! Anyone wishing to participate in the Treasure Hunt must arrive by 1.30pm! Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. Kindly facilitated by Coillte. Admission €2 - no booking necessary.

On Thursday 12th July 2018 from 2-4pm, The Moy Valley Over 55 Club will host a Tea Dance as it does each year in conjunction with the Ballina Salmon Festival. Music by Padraig and Jason.

Art teacher and artist Gemma will show children in this socially interactive class how to create beautiful suncatchers using a range of art materials. Suitable for children aged 5+.

Learn basic SUP skills, partake in races and have fun on the SUP board with Mikee of Harbour SUP'n'Sail. Suitable for children aged 10+.

In years gone by, The Moy Swim was one of the highlights of festival week, as local swimmers battled it out in the world-famous River Moy for the coveted victory. We're delighted to be reviving the event this year as part of our opening day and look forward to a highly competitive race. Registration will take place at the Ham Bridge from 5pm to 5.30pm. Free t-shirt for the first 100 swimmers.

A taster session with Moy Canoe Club for children aged 12+ Parents/guardians welcome! Admission: Free

Country superstar Mike Denver brings his high-energy show, packed with hits to the Military Quarter, Ballina. Bring your dancing shoes! BBQ and games on-site. Please note that this is an alcohol-free event. Admission €10 (Children under 15 accompanied by an adult, €5).

Irish singer-songwriter Paddy Casey returns to Ballina as part of Ballina Fringe Festival. Tickets on sale from mid June at Ballina Arts Centre.

Fun and splash swimming session for families. Children must be accompanied in the pool by an adult. Admission: Children free, adults €4. Suitable for children aged U8.

A great way to introduce music to young children and parents who might want to continue music-making at home. Bouncing songs, rhymes, action songs, creative movement, instrument playing, introduced through play and performance using colourful and multisensory props and finger/hand puppets. 8 max per class. Guardian must attend with child - one adult, one child. Click below for more information.

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.

Ever wanted to put your life story into words? Here’s your opportunity. Author and historian Terry Reilly will facilitate an informal workshop on memoir writing as part of Ballina Salmon Festival.

Interactive First Aid Workshop by the local Order of Malta team. Learn how to treat cuts, sprains and fractures and learn basic CPR. Suitable for children aged 9-13.

This town centre stage will feature daily lunchtime concerts featuring the talented young members of The Core and the various Music Generation Mayo programmes. The stage will also feature young performers from throughout Mayo as The Core aims to provide a platform for young local musicians.

An introduction to yoga with movement, stretching and lots of fun with Marie Loftus Yoga. Suitable for children aged 8-10.

Art teacher and artist Gemma will show children in this socially interactive class how to create fun and pretty bird feeders using everyday objects and a range of art materials. Suitable for children aged 5+.

Contemporary dance class - Boys and girls all welcome. Suitable for ages 6-15. No booking required.

Pick up your clues for the Ballina Salmon Festival Car Treasure Hunt at Rouse's Bar on Pearse Street and take to the roads to find the answers! A Ballina favourite with lots of laughs guaranteed. Visitors, grab your sat nav and join in the fun - and watch out for our hidden treasures along the route.

The annual Ballina Athletic 10k road race takes place at 7pm. Walkers and runners welcome. Chip timing in operation and a lovely fun evening guaranteed.

Owner of the most distinctive voice in Ireland, Seán Keane brings his unique blend of traditional Irish, folk, country and blues to Ballina. Seated show, tickets €20. Concert starts at 8pm sharp.

Celebrate Ballina's halycon club nights at the Hothouse Ballina 30th Anniversary Party. With legendary DJs NRG2 - Dermot Rice and John Moyles spinning the very best 80s and 90s tunes. Admission €5.

Patrick McCabe, the Booker prize-nominated author of The Butcher Boy, Breakfast on Pluto, The Dead School, will read from his new novel Heartland. This multimedia reading will feature sounds and music, and the inimitable, dark humour of one of Ireland’s finest writers. He describes it: “Once, in an analysis of the songs of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stone journalist Greil Marcus spoke of the ‘old weird America’. This is the old weird, indomitable Celtic heart…Ulysses meets The Dandy and Oor Wullie. Or, if you like, the Carter Family on the moon!”

Learn how to use everyday household objects to create pretty plant holders using a variety of art materials in these socially interactive classes with art teacher and artist Gemma McGuinness. Suitable for: Age 5-12

Meet the monsters Gryffin, Hattie, Bidge, Bugly and Poppi! and hear all about their adventures, have fun colouring and design your very own monster in our special competition! Suitable for all ages.

Ballina Salmon Festival's longest running event! Bring your own fishing rod and life jacket. Great prizes awarded on the day for the best catch. Proudly supported by Ridgepool Tackle Shop & Mark Forbes Butchers No booking necessary.

This town centre stage will feature daily lunchtime concerts featuring the talented young members of The Core and the various Music Generation Mayo programmes. The stage will also feature young performers from throughout Mayo as The Core aims to provide a platform for young local musicians.

Be right on cue to learn all about snooker and brush up on your potting skills with snooker instructors on hand! Suitable for age 11+.

The sixth annual Festival football match celebrating the great friendship and sporting rivalry that exist between Ballina people and our local Polish community. All welcome to come along to Ballina’s El Classico before the street party and fireworks kick off, and don’t forget to don your colours to shout on your team! Mecz o Puchar ku pamieci Eamona Joyce'a Polska - Irlandia Sobota 14 Lipca Belleek Park, Boisko Ballina FC Serdecznie Zapraszamy Wszystkich Polskich Kibiców.

The grand final of the week-long Supermac's Busking competition and the start of the evening's festivities in Ballina town centre.

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.

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.