Organiser of controversial Mayo festival points to support of over 3,200 signatures

The main organiser of a controversial festival in Mayo next Saturday has confirmed the event is going ahead despite over 2,000 people signing an online petition opposing it.

Stephen Kerr told The Connaught Telegraph that over 3,200 verified signatures have demonstrated their support for the staging of the festival, billed as Mise Éire, in a separate social media petition posted by him on August 18 last.

A section of his petition outlined: "I am witnessing a disturbing trend where our youth are being told that it's not okay to celebrate being Irish.

"It seems everyone else is encouraged to take pride in their heritage, but when it comes to celebrating our own, we're told it's wrong. Why is this acceptable?

"Why shouldn't we, the people of a small but proud island, celebrate who we are? Our culture is celebrated worldwide, yet now there are efforts to silence us—efforts fuelled by individuals who have themselves financially benefited from our rich heritage."

The other petition, which has so far received over 2,125 verified signatures, claims that some residents have ‘expressed concerns about how the event might affect Castlebar’s proud reputation as a welcoming place for tourists, business investors, shoppers and those who call it home’.

Mr. Kerr has confirmed to this newspaper that the Ivy Tower Hotel, Castlebar, is the only location in which festival events are planned to take place.

There had been earlier reports that a field had been earmarked within close proximity of the town to stage a number of festival events.

The festival has attracted controversy since plans to stage the event at Mayflower Community Centre, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, were cancelled after being opposed by number of high profile artists, including Christy Moore and Kneecap.