Over 2,000 sign petition opposing controversial festival in Mayo

An on-line petition opposing the holding of a controversial festival in Mayo next weekend has being signed by over 2,000 people.

The Mise Éire Festival is still scheduled to take place at 'a secret location' in Castlebar next Saturday despite growing resistance to it proceeding.

A number of high profile artists, including Christy Moore and Kneecap, called for the gathering to be cancelled when it was originally planned to take place at Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim.

After the Drumshambo venue cancelled its hosting of the event, the organisers announced it would take place at a secret location outside Castlebar on Saturday next, August 23, from 2 until 11 p.m.

A change.org petition calling for the cancellation for the festival claims that up to 750 people are expected to travel to Castlebar for the event.

The petition, which has so far received over 2,073 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’.

United Against Racism Mayo is also strongly against the event going ahead.

Mise Éire organisers have described the festival as ‘a family friendly celebration of our beautiful Ireland focusing on its rich cultural tapestry’ featuring live music, talks, workshops and Irish language classes.’