A Mayo View: Power of volunteerism brings stellar success for inaugural music festival
CASTLEBAR has a proud and unrivalled history when it comes to music festivals. In the past, such events drew huge crowds to the county town and secured its place in the hearts of music lovers nationwide.
From the Castlebar Song Contest to the Occasion at the Castle, they remain a distant memory and prove a point of envy for younger generations starved of such events.
In recent years, there was a steep decline. The days of big bands seemed consigned to the past. The recession made pubs reluctant to take risks on live music, and the steady movement of young people away from rural towns reduced demand for nightlife.
Well over a year ago, a meeting in the TF Royal Hotel, reported in The Connaught Telegraph, set the wheels in motion for change. The aim was simple but noble - to bring music, fun, and a festival atmosphere back to Castlebar.
For years, the town had lacked any large-scale event to match its size, falling behind neighbours like Ballina with its Salmon Festival and Westport with its strong tourism pull.
In the run-up to the bank holiday weekend, the pubs and small businesses that form the backbone of Castlebar stepped up. They booked musicians, raised funds, held raffles, and spread the word. Their efforts were rewarded. Each evening, the town buzzed with energy as talented and committed volunteers brought live music back to its streets. From one end of Castlebar to the other, music filled the air and people enjoyed themselves.
The final night, headlined by Qween, was a standout success. The tribute band delivered an electrifying performance that had people of all ages singing and dancing. The weather refused to cooperate, but as the saying goes, it did not dampen spirits.
Festivals like this demand huge amounts of behind-the-scenes work, but the Castlebar Music Festival proved to be an unrivalled success. From small beginnings, great things can grow. Next year will require even more effort to match or surpass the debut, but this strong start sets a high bar.
For pubs already struggling with the cost of doing business, the festival was a welcome boost. Crowds filled the town centre and spent money locally. The location in Hoban’s Car Park in the heart of Castlebar worked perfectly.
Overall the success of the Castlebar Music Festival has shown not only that there is space for further growth but also a clear appetite for live events in the town.