Michael Donnelly
Adrian Flannelly Broadcasting from Mayo
By Liam Horan
20, May 2011 - 08:56

Thousands of Irish-American radio listeners all over America will tune into the Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention in Westport later this month.

Pictured at the launch of the eleventh Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention, in Hotel Westport, Westport, Co. Mayo, on Thursday, May 5th, front from left: Dr Paul Nolan, Lahardane; Sean Reid, Mayo Association Dublin, (Chairman organising committee), Eunice Moran CRCfm; Declan Marley, Mayo Association Galway; and Michael Larkin, Ballyheane. The Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention will take place in Hotel Westport from May 27th-29th, and the theme of this year’s convention will be ‘Power by Land and Sea – a Future for our People’. Workshops on Saturday, May 28th, are open to the public More: www.mayoassociationdublin.com/worldconvention.htm. Pic: Michael Donnelly, www.MayoPics.com.

This follows the announcement that legendary broadcaster Adrian Flannelly will present his weekly show from Mayo on the weekend of the convention (May 27th-29th.)

"This is a huge boost for our convention, and shows that the workshops and talks we are planning are creating huge interest here in Ireland, and abroad," said Sean Reid, chairperson of the organising committee.

"The Adrian Flannelly show is an institution in the United States, and people all over the world can listen to it on www.irishradio.com. Adrian is a native of Attymass, Co. Mayo, and was the 1991 recipient of the Mayo Person of the Year award."

Mayo Association members pictured at the launch of the eleventh Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention, in Hotel Westport, Westport, Co. Mayo, on Thursday, May 5th, front from left: Noel Howley Dublin; Donal Downes, Galway; Sean Reid, Dublin, chairman, organising committee) and Michael Morley, Galway, Secretary, organising committee; at back: Declan Marley Galway; Paddy Moran, Dublin, Brendan Duffy, PRO; Paul Sammin, Dublin; Pearse Culkin, Dublin; and Sean McManamon, Galway. The Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention will take place in Hotel Westport from May 27th-29th, and the theme of this year’s convention will be ‘Power by Land and Sea – a Future for our People’. Workshops on Saturday, May 28th, are open to the public More: www.mayoassociationdublin.com/worldconvention.htm. Pic: Michael Donnelly, www.MayoPics.com.

In the most dramatic statement of the significance of the convention, the President of Ireland Mary McAleese will perform the official opening of the convention in Hotel Westport on Saturday, May 28th.

The theme of the convention is 'Power by land and Sea - a Future for our People', and it will debate Mayo's strong prospects in the renewable energy sector. The convention, which will be the eleventh held since the first staging in 1990, will also look at indigenous and multi-national enterprises in the county.

"We believe that the Adrian Flannelly broadcast will bring the news of this convention, and the whole county of Mayo, to a wide and influential audience in America. The message we are trying to transmit through this conference is that Mayo is absolutely open for business, and that there are very good reasons to locate enterprises here," said Mayo county manager Peter Hynes.

"The New York Daily News described Adrian as the 'dean of Irish radio in the US.' He has been a major force on the Irish political and cultural scene for over 40 years. Adrian will record interviews in the days leading up the event, and also broadcast live from the convention on Saturday."

Over 100 delegates from Mayo Associations all over the world will be in attendance. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be the keynote speaker at the gala banquet on Saturday night, May 28th. Tickets for the gala banquet are available from committee members Declan Marley, Tuam (87 2601 093) or Noel Howley, Dublin (087 253 9996). They are priced at €75, and include attendance at the convention and lunch earlier on Saturday afternoon.

Delegates will travel from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Toronto, London, Manchester, Leeds, Luton, Calderdale (UK), Coventry, Australia, Galway, Dublin, Sligo and Limerick.

The event is being jointly organised by the Mayo Associations in Galway and Dublin.Westport Town Council chairperson Cllr Tereasa McGuire will accord the convention a civic reception on Friday, May 27th, in the Town Council offices.