Ballaghaderreen to revive May Day Fair tradition

BALLAGHADERREEN is set to revive the tradition of the May Day Fair next month.

This May bank holiday Monday, ‘The Shambles’ in Ballaghaderreen will again play host to the event, which in the past saw people come from far and wide to sell their produce.

Ballaghaderreen has operated as a fairs and market town since the 1700s, once having seven fairs annually.

Organisers, Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns, now want to breathe new life into the town’s long-standing history of holding a fair on May Day.

A spokesperson from Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns said: “Ballaghaderreen was always a market town and that is such an important part of our history. We really want to keep that heritage, especially for future generations.”

People are invited to join the tradition of the fair day of years past, at ‘The Shambles’ on the Charlestown Road, where there will be music, crafts, market stalls, food stalls, fair games, and a dog show.

Local artists will be performing and exhibiting their work throughout the fair as there will be a buskers tent and an art exhibition.

There will also be a pre-loved pop-up shop selling second hand and vintage clothes, shoes, bags and books.

Entertainment, workshops and many more events promise for a fun-filled day for all the family.

Market stall holders and buskers are invited to contact the organisers to book their place as soon as possible as places are limited. They can email maydayfairballagh@gmail.com or find out more information on the Facebook page Ballaghaderreen May Fair.

All are invited to join them from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on bank holiday Monday, May 6, at ‘The Shambles’ (F45 EW98).