Foxford Walking Festival, 29 - 30 August 2015

Foxford Walking Festival, 29 - 30 August 2015

Foxford Walking Festival, 29 - 30 August 2015

This year the walking festival has been moved to coincide with the newly established Foxford Riverfest, which was held last year for the first time. Walkers will now be able to avail of Riverfest activities alongside The Moy on their return to the town while Riverfest visitors will have an opportunity to sample the beauty of the Mayo countryside in organised walks.

Download Festival Flyer here

Foxford Riverfest and Foxford Walking Festival have joined forces this year and both festivals will be held on the same weekend Friday, 28th – Sunday 30th August. Organisers say the two festivals complement each other and will provide a significant boost to tourism in the town. Foxford Riverfest gets under way on the evening of Friday 28th August with an official opening ceremony and a pageant on the River Moy. Saturday and Sunday will be spectator and family friendly days with many activities taking place on the river including The National Spey Casting competition, rowing races, fishing competitions, SUP, rafting and kayaking. The Fishing & Craft Village will showcase traditional craft demonstrations, artisan food, fly tying and lure making exhibitions. Music and entertainment will be held each evening in the town. The spectacular ‘Candles to the Sea’ will take place this year on the Saturday night with a closing ceremony and fireworks display on the Sunday night. The highly popular Walking Festival, now in its 5th year, will follow a similar format to previous years, with a variety of walks to suit various levels of fitness. On Saturday, 29th August, there will be a climb of Nephin Mountain which dominates the North Mayo landscape. For those who do not wish to tackle Nephin there will be a moderate walk from Foxford to Lough Conn and back to Foxford. On Sunday, 30th August, walkers will have a choice of a climb in the Ox Mountains or a more leisurely walk along the River Moy. 

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Vincent Roche, chairman of the Foxford Walking Festival, said the Festival is being brought forward from its traditional October date to August to coincide with Riverfest. “Following discussions with the Riverfest organisers, we agreed to hold both festivals over the same weekend as we felt there was a need to provide entertainment for walkers in the afternoons/evenings and Riverfest fulfils this need perfectly. Energetic walkers will now be able to enjoy Riverfest activities on their return to the town on both afternoons and people attending Riverfest will have an opportunity to sample the beauty of the Mayo countryside on organised walks. We are confident that the two festivals will complement each other and the two committees are working closely together to ensure the success of both”. Michael Tiernan, chairman Riverfest, said “the running of the two festivals on the same weekend would give visitors a wider range of activities to participate in and experience the beauty and diversity of the locality with its majestic River Moy and its spectacular surrounding mountains of Nephin and the Ox mountain range. Visitors will also get to enjoy a wide range of family friendly activities during the daytime with spectacular shows on the river each evening and live music and entertainment in the town most of which will be free. The Festival should also be a great benefit to local pubs, restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfasts whom we hope will give their support”.

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For more details on Festival events visit
www.foxfordwalkingfestival.com and www.foxfordriverfest.com