18th Annual Welcome Home Festival
Advertisement
With the help of Annette and Martin Logan who are responsible for producing every week the IRISH IN THE UK TV SHOW we are going to have the most wonderful week.
There are numerous compelling reasons to choose County Mayo as the venue for our inaugural supporters gathering.
The Irish in the UK TV programme, designed to support the Irish Diaspora, was first launched in this county back in 2014. This bold initiative aimed to share Irish stories with a global audience and foster connections among us all.
Additionally, not many people are aware that Ballina was the first town in Ireland to have television! In 1955, Padraig Jones, a radio and electrical engineer based on Connolly Street, Ballina, had a TV seven or eight years before RTE was even established!
Jones managed to capture a cricket match from England using signals from the Belfast transmitter. At a time when television was virtually unknown in rural Ireland, his achievement was nothing short of revolutionary.
Martin and Annette have strong family roots in this area, as we do ourselves so please come and join us in 2026 and become part of the ongoing story of television history here in north Co Mayo.
What’s included
£790/€899 pps
Single supplment £30.00 / €35.00 per night
Meet & Greet on arrival in Ballina
Seven nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in the Great National Hotel, Ballina
Great entertainment every afternoon & evening
Dancing every evening to suit all tastes in both ballrooms - Ceili & Country
Our céilí bands—Johnny Reidy Céilí Band, The Annaly céilí Band, and The Footappers—deliver top-class traditional music with lift, drive, and genuine céilí spirit. Each brings its own style, but all share the same commitment to rhythm, quality, and keeping the floor alive.
Nestled in the heart of Mayo along the banks of the River Moy, the Great National Hotel Ballina offers a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and modern elegance. This contemporary 4-star venue feature private bars, dance floors, natural daylight, and state-of-the-art facilities.is the ideal setting for our celebrations.
When you want to recharge from all the dancing, the on-site leisure centre is your sanctuary: dive into the 20 m heated pool, relax in the steam room or sauna, or treat yourself at Éidin Spa.
Accessibility matters: rooms include fully wheelchair-accessible options, with wide doorways, lowered beds, grab rails, shower seats and more -ensuring comfort for all attendees. Please let us know in your booking form.
Treasure Hunt with great prizes
Optional excursions to places of historial and natural interest
Tutorials and workshops daily in set dancing and social dancing
Music sessions daily and every evening in the bar - Bring your own instrument
Full time services of the event team
All funds protected through our client trust account
Easy payment terms also available on request
There are numerous compelling reasons to choose County Mayo as the venue for our inaugural supporters gathering.
The Irish in the UK TV programme, designed to support the Irish Diaspora, was first launched in this county back in 2014. This bold initiative aimed to share Irish stories with a global audience and foster connections among us all.
Additionally, not many people are aware that Ballina was the first town in Ireland to have television! In 1955, Padraig Jones, a radio and electrical engineer based on Connolly Street, Ballina, had a TV seven or eight years before RTE was even established!
Jones managed to capture a cricket match from England using signals from the Belfast transmitter. At a time when television was virtually unknown in rural Ireland, his achievement was nothing short of revolutionary.
Martin and Annette have strong family roots in this area, as we do ourselves so please come and join us in 2026 and become part of the ongoing story of television history here in north Co Mayo.
What’s included
£790/€899 pps
Single supplment £30.00 / €35.00 per night
Meet & Greet on arrival in Ballina
Seven nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in the Great National Hotel, Ballina
Great entertainment every afternoon & evening
Dancing every evening to suit all tastes in both ballrooms - Ceili & Country
Our céilí bands—Johnny Reidy Céilí Band, The Annaly céilí Band, and The Footappers—deliver top-class traditional music with lift, drive, and genuine céilí spirit. Each brings its own style, but all share the same commitment to rhythm, quality, and keeping the floor alive.
Nestled in the heart of Mayo along the banks of the River Moy, the Great National Hotel Ballina offers a breathtaking blend of natural beauty and modern elegance. This contemporary 4-star venue feature private bars, dance floors, natural daylight, and state-of-the-art facilities.is the ideal setting for our celebrations.
When you want to recharge from all the dancing, the on-site leisure centre is your sanctuary: dive into the 20 m heated pool, relax in the steam room or sauna, or treat yourself at Éidin Spa.
Accessibility matters: rooms include fully wheelchair-accessible options, with wide doorways, lowered beds, grab rails, shower seats and more -ensuring comfort for all attendees. Please let us know in your booking form.
Treasure Hunt with great prizes
Optional excursions to places of historial and natural interest
Tutorials and workshops daily in set dancing and social dancing
Music sessions daily and every evening in the bar - Bring your own instrument
Full time services of the event team
All funds protected through our client trust account
Easy payment terms also available on request
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Great National Hotel Ballina, N26, Dublin Road,Ballina, Mayo, Ireland, Castlebar
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherGerry Flynn Music & Dance Holidays
