Dismay as museum pulls the plug on Féile 2017

A FESTIVAL celebrating rural Ireland and its arts and crafts at the National Museum of Country Life in Turlough won't be going ahead this year due to a lack of finance and staffing.

The announcement that the annual Féile na Tuaithe, which attracts crowds of up to 28,000 annually, won't be going ahead in 2017 has been received with dismay by members of Mayo County Council.

Tony Candon, manager keeper of the museum, told a meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District: “We don't have the staffing resources or financial resources to run the festival this year.

“I know that news is disappointing not just for the people of Mayo but further afield.'

Mr. Candon explained that organising and running the two-day festival is “nearly a full time job for possibly two people.'

He assured council members that every effoort to ensure that the Féile, or a similar type festival will be staged in 2018 and “widespread consultation” on this will be be taking place in the coming months.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, described the news that Féile 2017 has been scrapped as a retrograde step and very disappointing.