New Mayo festival to raise funds for Achill Island RNLI

A new end-of-summer festival will bring paddleboard racing, live music and family entertainment to Old Head Beach, Louisburgh this September, with proceeds going to Achill Island RNLI.

Saltwater Sessions, organised by Westport-based Summer SUP, takes place across Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September at Old Head Beach and Pier, just outside Westport.

Fundraising for the volunteer lifeboat crew is central to the weekend.

As well as public donations, competitors in the paddleboard races will give 50 per cent of their entry fee to the RNLI effort.

The race programme includes an elite 12km SUP Distance Race, part of the Irish SUP Race Series, a 6km Open Paddle for all levels, and a 500m Technical Race on school boards, with prizes from RedPaddleCo, Portwest and other sponsors.

Music on the Pier will feature performances from Anú, Shrallabawn, The Wild Atlantic Irish Dancers, The Cresham Academy Dancers, West Coast Harmony and local trad groups.

Food and coffee will be available throughout the weekend, with a barbecue from Good Grazing at Old Head Pier on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Food on the Pier from Acushlá Foods on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, and coffee, cakes and snacks from The Beacherie across both days.

Family entertainment includes beach volleyball competitions and a Marilyn Monroe fancy dress pier jump, along with a walk with wolfhounds led by Paddy Scanlon on Saturday at 1 p.m., SUP yoga on Sunday at 7 a.m., and a woodland wander guided by Colette Fleming on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The festival is free to attend, with donations welcome, meaning visitors can enjoy the weekend and support the RNLI even without taking part in the races.

Saturday's events run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Race registration is open now, with further details available at summersup.ie/west-mayo/salt-water-sessions.