Mayo accolade for Antoinette Starken and Castlebar Music Festival

Antoinette Starken and the Castlebar Music Festival have been named as recipients of a Mayo Peoplf of the Year Award.

Antoinette is a founder member of the Castlebar Music Festival, Horror in the Barracks and Christmas in the Barracks.

DrIven by a small group of community focused volunteers, Castlebar revived its musical heritage last August with the Castlebar Music Festival.

The event was the brainchild of a passionate volunteer group and local committee, which included Antoinette Starken, Shane Cunningham, Alike Lally, Ed Scott, Andy Hannon, Bia Fernandez, Sabrina McHugh and Frankie McDonald, who came together two years ago following community concern about the town’s nightlife decline and the weekly exodus of young people to neighbouring towns.

The three-day event proved a massive success and thousands attended the FREE live music events at multiple venues.

The 31st Mayo People of the Year Awards will be presented at a gala banquet in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, on Friday night, November 21.

The event is organised by RehabCare, Mayo County Council and The Connaught Telegraph.

There are 22 recipients in total.