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festivals · Sunday 12 July 2026 · Various 
Ballina Salmon Festival 2026
At Ballina town venues · Ballina, Co. Mayo
At Ballina town venues · Ballina, Co. Mayo
Ballina has called itself Ireland’s Salmon Capital for good reason - the River Moy runs right through the town and has shaped its character for generations. The Salmon Festival, now in its 62nd year, is one of the longest-running community festivals on the Wild Atlantic Way, and it has grown into a full eight days of events that go well beyond fishing. Families, swimmers, history buffs, and anyone who just wants to be somewhere genuinely lively in mid-July will find plenty to do.
The programme mixes the sporting and the historical in a way few festivals manage. National Heritage Day on Wednesday 15 July draws up to 40,000 people to the town centre, where the streets are transformed into a market from a century ago. Steam engines, a thresher, traditional craftspeople demonstrating basket-making, thatching, turf-cutting, cooperage, and weaving - it is one of the most atmospheric free days out in the west of Ireland, and it has been running for over 25 years.
The Heyco River Moy Swim on Saturday 18 July is one of Ireland’s oldest river swims, presented in partnership with Swim Ireland. Two distances are on offer: a 600m route and a 2.5km distance, the longer one finishing at Quay Village. Swimmers start at St Muredach’s Cathedral. That same evening, a busking competition final and fireworks display round off the week.
Earlier in the festival, the Cruinniú na mBád - a gathering of boats on the River Moy at the Lower Bridge - celebrates the maritime heritage of the area with food and music from 7pm. There is also a Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Tom Ruane Park for small children, a festival car treasure hunt, fitness competitions at IQ Ballina, and a 5K run/walk. The week closes on Sunday 19 July with a one-woman theatrical show at Ballina Arts Centre.
Ballina is in north Mayo, about 60km north of Castlebar via the N26. From Dublin it is roughly 3 hours by car on the N5 to Castlebar, then north on the N26. Bus Éireann operates services between Ballina and Westport, Castlebar, and Dublin, though frequencies are limited - check irishrail.ie or buseireann.ie for current timetables. Ballina also has a railway station with connections to the Westport line. Parking in the town centre is generally available on-street and in surface car parks, though Heritage Day in particular draws very large crowds, so arriving early is advisable.
The town sits at the tidal limit of the Moy and is a working market town with good pubs and cafés along the main street. The Belleek Woods, just west of the centre, make for a good walk before or after the festival crowds build. There is more to see in Ballina and across Co. Mayo.
Heading to Ballina town venues in Ballina? Mayo has plenty more to see. Read the Ballina area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.