Sun shines on Ballina Heritage Day

Wednesday, 13 July 2011 14:58 Posted by The Editor

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
E-mail
Image Gallery

Local ladies manning a stall to raise funds for the newly-launched charity Making It Happen at Ballina Heritage Day.

Ballina Salmon Festival could not have ordered a more perfect day for the annual event that brings tens of thousands of people to the North Mayo capital. Under clear blue skies and warm sunshine, the streets of Ballina were packed Wednesday with locals and holiday-makers enjoying the sounds and sights of Heritage Day.

Pictures MayoToday.ie

A summer's day at long last brought out the biggest crowds in years and it is just what the doctor ordered as far as Ballina is concerned.

Local hostleries and business people are reporting a boost in trade over the past few days as thousands of visitors have come to enjoy the centre-piece event of the annual Salmon Festival.

Nuns On The Run: Ballina Heritage Day fun.

All the old crafts from butter churning to the spinning wheel and the blacksmith to the tinsmith were there to open a window on times past when these crafts were part of daily life.

Potato cakes, soda bread and butter, freshly churned, were selling like the proverbial hot buns as were ice cream cones on the warmest day so far of this summer.

Many locals entered the spirit of reviving memories of bygone times by dressing up in 19th century costumes and others let their hair down and opted for fancy dress, adding to the colourful and fun atmosphere.

Martin O'Donnell and Susan Murphy selling Geesala Salmon to raise funds for the RNLI at Ballina Heritage Day.

The Downhill House Hotel at Ballina Heritage Day.

Beth Moran of Ballintoughey Loom, Clare Island, at work with her spinning wheel on Heritage Day in Ballina.

Beth Moran of the Ballintoughey Loom, Clare Island, with her spinning wheel proved a very popular attraction at Ballina Heritage Day

The Ballytoughey Loom is a small cottage industry producing high quality natural fibre hand woven goods.
Beth also offers hand-weaving and spinning courses on beautiful Clare Island.

Ballina historian, PJ Clarke's Wild West Show was a big hit with the kids evoking memories of a time when playing cowboys and indians was part of growing up.

A carnival in Becketts Yard brought all the fun of the fair to the town centre and local showbands and traditionl music groups were on every street.