National award for Mayo music and arts festival

Westival, formerly Westport’s Music and Arts Festival has won gold at the Irish Festival Awards, winning Best Small Festival 2019.

The Irish Festival Awards is the annual celebration of Ireland’s greatest festivals, they commend the exceptional work that goes on behind the scenes in the inspiring Irish festival industry.

Westival runs for over six days incorporating the October Bank Holiday weekend, features many shows and events for art-lovers, music-fans, theatre-buffs, dance-devotees and Halloween-huns.

Speaking of winning the accolade Conor Wilson, director of Westival, said: “Westival is thrilled to be part of the rich artistic tapestry spread along the Wild Atlantic Way.

“Mayo is home to so much vibrant home-grown talent and a truly warm welcome to all visiting artists and audiences from near and far. Winning Best Small Festival in Ireland by public vote is a testament to this.”

Westival chairperson Willie Walsh stated: “This ‘Best Small Festival’ hosted by great people, in the best town in Ireland. We’re thankful to a hard-working team of people behind the scenes and we’re truly looking forward to welcoming back our festival visitors in 2020.

“We hope they bring new friends with them to enjoy the Westival frolics around Westport town. I have sincere gratitude to all of the artists who always present such inspiring performances and work.”