BUSINESS and tourism chiefs from both sides of the Irish sea are hoping to make this year’s Manchester Mayo Gathering an annual event.
The nine-day festival, held from August 1-9, finished with a networking lunch to celebrate its success.
The event was held at the Ice House in Ballina where guest speakers included Mayo Co. council’s Cllr John O'Malley, County Manager Peter Hynes, Mayo Enterprise Board CEO Joanne Grehan and Manchester Mayo Tourism and Business group Co-director, Tony Hennigan.
Mayo Enterprise CEO Joanne Grehan said: “It is great to see a business event included in this nine-day celebration.
"I know that Martina Hughes from Mayo.ie has been working very closely with the Manchester Mayo Tourism and Business group to help develop our business and tourism links.
"We are delighted with the success of the 2013 Gathering, but we want this now to be just the beginning and this to become an annual event."
Tony Hennigan added: “The links between Manchester and Mayo have always been very strong, but this year’s Gathering has ensured that those links have been strengthened.”
The Manchester Mayo Gathering ran in conjunction with the Mayo North homecoming Gathering.
Over 120 events were staged at eight festival hubs in Attymass, Ballina, Bonniconlon, Crossmolina, Enniscrone, Killala, Swinford and Straide.
