Mayo Day in Ballycroy
An open family friendly event for all to enjoy, celebrating the amazing Natural and Cultural Heritage of Ballycroy.
Ballycroy Visitor Centre
10am - The Early Bird, family fun birdwatching event learning about the birds of Mayo’s National Park.
10.45am - Guided 2km Nature walk at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Learn all about the plants, animals and birds that make up Mayo’s magical natural heritage
10.30am-3pm - Meet the Wilderland artists – the artists will be holding a number events throughout the day such as plant pressing, food tasting, recounting mythical stories of Mayo and much more,
3pm - Guided Historical Walk at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, we will take a walk back in time as we discover 8000 years of human history that has been uncovered in the surrounding mountains of Ballycroy, from caves that sheltered some of the first people who made Mayo their home, to the stories of Grainne Uaile, to invasions and rebellions, penal laws and famine, to the fight of freedom for Mayo.
5.15pm - “We Walked These Hills Before You” presentation and talk, following on from the earlier historical guided walk sit back and we show you images and videos of the mountains and caves that sheltered our people for over 8,000 years, we will learn about all the discoveries that our team have uncovered in the Nephin Beg Mountains and about the work that team at the National Park are doing restoring old cottages to provide shelter for hikers and those wishing to camp out to see the Mayo Dark Skies. We will also learn about the people who once lived in these cottages long ago.
6.00pm - Join us for an hour of music and poetry at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, with some local poets reciting some of their work that was inspired by Co. Mayo,
All Day Events At The Ballycroy Visitor Centre
Self-Guided Mayo Day themed Treasure Hunt on the Ballycroy Visitor Centre grounds,
Arts & Crafts, family fun games, and a chance to see some of our amazing wildlife at the outdoor education room at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre.
Ballycroy Community Centre
1pm-5pm - Join Georgia and her Mayo Dark Sky team as they set off from Ballycroy and take you on a journey to outer space in their new Pale Blue Dot, Mobile Planetarium, learn all about Mayo Dark skies and why Mayo is one of the best places in the world to view the night sky.
7.30pm - Ceili at the Community Centre, get on those dancing shoes for an evening of music dance and song as we celebrate life, our community and the joys of living in this special part of Mayo.