Thousands expected to welcome All-Ireland winning heroes back to Ballaghaderreen
Mayo manager senior football manager Andy Moran with his wife Jennifer, daughter Charlotte, and son Ollie celebrate with the Sam Maguire Cup in Croke Park on Sunday last. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher
Thousands of supporters are expected to converge on Ballaghaderreen on Thursday as Mayo's All-Ireland winning celebrations are expected to come to a spectacular close in the home of their manager, Andy Moran.
Up to 15,000 people are expected in the town 75 years after Seán Flanagan, Mayo captain in 1951, brought Irish sport's most prized possession back to The Square in the town.
Ballaghaderreen will welcome back Moran, David McBrien, Kuba Callaghan, Barry Solan, David Drake, Barry McGuire and Michael Regan, alongside the All-Ireland winning team who have captured the imagination of the whole country and beyond.
The final leg of Mayo's homecoming celebrations will start in Claremorris earlier on Thursday before one of the highlights of the homecoming tour begin in The Square, Ballaghaderreen from 5 p.m. with live music before and after the team’s arrival.
The players’ arrival is expected at approximately 7 p.m..
Road closures will be place from 2 p.m. with The Square closed to all traffic; Sligo Road closed at Cathedral Car Park; Dublin Road closed at the end of Barrack Street; Main Street closed at Brian Mulligan’s.
There is no parking in the town centre from early afternoon and carpooling is advised where possible.
Attendees are asking to allow extra time for their journey.
The following parking locations are available:
Use Old Dublin Road (L1244) via the first exit off the bypass (Tibohine) • The Mill Business Park 2 – F45 Y826 • Ballaghaderreen Business Park – F45 TK22.
Ballaghaderreen Handball Club – F45 XR68 • Willowbrook Medical Centre – F45 DX94 • Tennis Courts • St Attracta’s National School – F45 H367 • Playground • Ballaghaderreen Community Park – F45 KP52 • Ballaghaderreen GAA Grounds – F45 TX82 • Ballaghaderreen Boxing Club / Old Midnite Club – F45 XA99
Use Charlestown Road (L1244) via the first exit off the bypass (Castlecolane) • Fairgreen Car Park – F45 EW98 • Old Villager Car Park – F45 DF44 Coming from Sligo St Nathy’s College – F45 V122 • Cathedral Car Park – F45 FW27 • Kilcolman Cemetery Car Park.
