A Ballinrobe news event which created headlines all over the world 75 years ago will this month be the focus of a unique festival in the Co. Mayo town – and over 600 Lithuanian nationals are expected to travel from all over Ireland to take part.

In 1935, bad weather conditions forced Lithuanian pilot Felix Waitkus to make an emergency landing just outside Ballinrobe. He had earlier taken off from New York, and was the only solo pilot to cross the Atlantic that year, and the sixth ever in aviation history.

Now, Ballinrobe, Mayo and Lithuania have teamed up to stage the Fly Mayo Festival (September 24th-26th), and the organisers are promising a “wide array of exciting and memorable events.”

On Saturday morning, September 25th, local primary schools will come together to stage a special pageant recreating the flight as part of the festival.

“The pageant will take place on the streets of Ballinrobe. And, in a novel twist, we will go one step further than Felix Waitkus,” explained David Hall of Ballinrobe Tourism Committee, who are the main promoters of the Fly Mayo Festival.

“Felix didn’t get to complete his flight to Kaunas in Lithuania, the original goal of his journey. Bad weather forced him to land outside Ballinrobe.

“But the 75th anniversary pageant will rewrite history by having him fly on to Kaunas. There will be three ‘stops’ in the pageant: the American airfield from where he took off, Ballinrobe where he landed, and Kaunas where he intended to go.”

Cllr Michael Burke, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, officially launched the festival at a reception in Ballinrobe tonight (THURSDAY).

“This is a wonderful event which brings together people from Ireland and Lithuania, to celebrate a man who is a national hero in Lithuania. Thanks to everyone involved, the memory of Felix Waitkus, and Ballinrobe’s role in his remarkable story, will never be forgotten,” he said.

The launch was also attended by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Ireland, Vidmantas Purlys, and Arunas Teiserskis of the Lithuanian Association of Ireland

A website to mark the relationship between Ballinrobe and Lithuania has been constructed. The site – www.BallinrobeLithuania.com – features a question and answer session with Phil Waitkus, son of Felix, and also footage of the pilot before he took off from New York, and after he landed in Ballinrobe.

“This site is fast becoming the definitive site for information of Felix Waitkus’ famous flight. In Lithuania, there is quite a deal of interest in the information we are assembling here, and Lithuanians are extremely grateful to Ballinrobe for honouring their famous son,” said Patsy Murphy, a member of the organising committee.

Festival Programme (also published on www.BallinrobeLithuania.com):

Friday, September 24th

  • 6pm – Official Welcome in Festival Marquee on Abbey Street, Ballinrobe.
  • Official Opening by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Burke – who also happens to be our local Councillor, a singular honour for Ballinrobe
  • Traditional Music by Gasra, popular band from this region
  • Irish Cabaret & Music by Annette Griffin (harpist/vocalist), accompanied by Brendan Byrne (pianist), and dancing by Duggan School of Dancing
  • Selection of Queen of the Fly Mayo Festival. Compere Liam Horan. Five girls from the Irish-Lithuanian community will compete. The winner will be automatically entered into the 2011 Queen of the Lakes pageant in Ballinrobe
  • Festival Events close at 11pm

-       Saturday, September 25th

  • 10am-5pm – Bouncing Castles, Kids Attractions, Abbey St, Ballinrobe
  • 11am – ‘Recreating the Famous Flight’ – Felix Waitkus pageant on the streets of Ballinrobe by local schoolchildren, and children from Ireland’s Lithuanian community. Queen of the Lakes 2010 Aisling McGovern and Fly Mayo Festival Queen will both lead this parade
  • 12noon – Festival Fair in the Festival Marquee (Lithuanian and Irish goods, crafts, snacks etc)
  • 12noon – Concert & Activities in the street
  • 3pm – Music Cruise on Corrib Queen
  • 6pm – Lithuanian Evening – Song, Dance, and Cultural Events in the Festival Marquee, Abbey Street

-       Sunday, September 26th

  • 11.30am – Mass, St Mary’s Parish Church, Ballinrobe
  • 12.30pm – Procession from St Mary’s Church to the site of the Felix Waitkus Memorial, Bridge Street, Ballinrobe. Parade led by Balla Pipe Band. All welcome to take part.
  • 12.45pm – During Parade, an aerial fly-over will take place to mark the aviation connection
  • 1pm – Documentary on life and achievements of Felix Waitkus, at Ballinrobe Credit Union, where a permanent exhibition is in place. Festival closes with this event