Michael Oliver Sheridan introduced Julianne Hennelly to me in the build up to the concert hosted by the musicians of Castlebar on Saturday, September 19th in Hoban's car park. Julianne is from Breaffy and is a very artistic and creative person. She plays in a band, she is a make-up artist, she loves colour and it was Julianne that painted the backdrop for the stage and waved her magic wand over the set that night to add atmosphere and to turn the car park into a site that Electric Picnic would be proud of. Her friend, Aiden Bolger, erected his musical cottage on the site to add to the finishing touches. If you haven't seen his cottage, you are missing out. Aiden build a small, almost Hansel-and-Gretel-like cottage and travels all over the music scene in Ireland with it and sits outside, surrounded by all types of musical instruments and furniture, and invites passers-by to sit and join him in a jam. You can play a guitar or pick up a shaker and be park of his impromptu band.

After Castlebar Live, Julianne wrote the following to me expressing her joy in her native town and all great night that came out of the local musicians doing something for their town. Her story needs to be shared. (Mary Henning Film for photography).

Castlebar town has got it all. Last weekend was an example of that, I witnessed the power and joy that comes when people form a true community by sharing their ideas, skills, experiences, opportunities, amenities and most importantly their time to invest in their town, souls and new adventures. Community is when people come together to help each other out, listen to each other and encourage each other to recognise their own unique role in society, because we all have one. We are born creative beings, some of us have not yet got the chance to nourish this part of us, rather than intimidating, this should be looked on as another exciting and liberating part of ourselves to explore. Whether it's moulding a piece of clay, writing down important memories, splatting paint on a canvas, learning the words of that favourite song you've always wanted to sing, a few chords on the guitar, piano or to simply sit back, relax and appreciate the music and beautiful surroundings we sometimes take for granted in this wonderful green land of ours.

Culture night gave the public a chance to sample a variety of creative workshops around town, from the Linen Hall to the Mayo Art Squad, in a relaxed, fun manner while music played in the background, children and parents were welcome to join in, which they did towards the end of the night, when inhibitions were gone (no drink involved). It's funny, when we sense the end is close we humans tend to leap for what we want. But why wait, everything we want is within reach. Castlebar has people ready and willing to work to make the most of where we are, here and now.

Saturday the 19th of September was titled Castlebar Live, I was intrigued by the title, The English language, which has many interpretations, Live: raw performance of the arts, no manufactured recordings, real and present, live: to be present on this earth, as we so call it, to breath, to Be, to discover our true selves, explore this earth we have been given. My personal translations but notice the word present, because it's the greatest gift we have. The latter, about exploring the earth is a reassuring consolation for all those who have left this town to venture other lands. I live in hope that they may come back some day, with a new appreciation of where they come from while having many new experiences under their belt to teach us all.

Meanwhile, I have met visitors who came to this town and have never left, they were seduced by the charm of Castlebar town, the crazy wonderful characters, the authentic country life, simplicity of days, the services available for all in need. Every person I have met, from homeless people to the so-called rich, express a desire for music, a break from technology and the pressures of time, to be the best they can be, live in the moment. The boom is over, greed is over, we are all humbled by the mere need to survive and thrive, in whatever way suits ourselves and I think, we have all come to the realisation that it is not money that is important but love and support.

Back to the open air music event in Hoban's car park, local musicians and artists under the wing of Michael Baynes, got together to bring colour and music to the town. It began with the Jam Shugar cottage, 3pm, with its Hansel & Gretel feel, beautifully constructed by the talented Aidan Bolger, who provided instruments and an opportunity for the public to come and play. The big stage I kicked off at 6pm attracting young families, passers-by and friends. The stage and grounds had an electric picnic feel, with bunting provided by Love Castlebar and flags and decor by Mayo Art Squad, as the sun slept the colourful disco lights shone. Our local Thin Lizzy tribute band, Skinny Liz opened the night, wow, Phillo would be proud, they had every note down to a T, followed by Jam Sugar's revival of the 60s & 70s to 'Standing in the way of control' cover by gay rights activists, The Gossip, the 4 & 9's folked up the stage with a mix of old school country and trad. Everyday Solution had all the teenage girls smitten with their renditions and great choices of contemporary tunes, Ryo & Damo rocked out their old school classics. The up and coming, New Social, left us with no doubts as to why their success has been so great this last year. Local rock band Receptor got the crowd heaving with their covers of chart toppers such as the Killers and Pearl Jam. The children danced like the adults wanted to and performers gave it socks, the energy was invigorating and the appreciation by everyone there was immense. The weather was a blessing, not a drop of rain until 2a.m.

This brings me to the next exciting news, ALAS, we are learning to prepare and facilitate our temperamental, entertaining and subject of most Irish people's conversation, The Irish weather, how joyous was I and many, many others to read in the Connaught Telegraph today about the future plans for our local Barracks' ground, the future Centre of Excellence, to provide a big umbrella in the centre of town for markets, concerts, workshops and many more events that could take place in Castlebar and without delay, they promise January 2016, is your imagination running wild?!

Here's to Castlebar, it's been downtrodden, almost abandoned but we've had enough, we're back on the map, the capital of Mayo and with pride, vision and belief, we will organise a huge celebration for our long awaited and may I say, well deserved, return of the Sam McGuire next year. Castlebar, Mayo Abu.. May I quote our ever colourful soul man and host of Castlebar Live event, Michael Oliver Sheridan, "Love & Respect"