Expats aim to ‘give something back’ at worldwide Mayo convention

Leading figures from Mayo expat communities all over the world are set to descend on the old county for a major Mayo convention in May – and the official opening will be performed by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

‘Power by Land and Sea – a Future for our People’ is the theme of the world Mayo convention which will attract over 100 overseas delegates from Mayo Associations worldwide.

The county has long had an emigration tradition, and the worldwide convention reflects a desire by expats to “give something back” to their native county.

“This is our eleventh worldwide convention, and the previous conventions have always had a theme of enterprise and employment. Given Ireland’s economic difficulties in recent times, it is appropriate that this year’s convention should adopt a similar theme,” said Brendan Duffy of the Mayo Association Dublin.

The convention will feature workshops on indigenous and multi-national enterprise in Mayo, and will explore the prospects for energy creation being the key to the county’s future.

President McAleese will perform the official opening on Saturday morning, and all workshop sessions on that day are open to members of the public.

“We want to create discussion and debate on some of the key issues facing the county of Mayo. It is one way we can give something back by prompting public discourse, and hopefully some interesting suggestions will emerge,” added Mr Duffy.

More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

About the Mayo Worldwide Convention

• This is the eleventh worldwide Mayo Convention

• The first one was held in 1990 in Westport, Co. Mayo

• Conventions have also been held in Westport, Ballina, Manchester, Buenos Aires, Boston, Philadelphia

FOR MORE DETAILS, contact:

LIAM HORAN, Sli Nua Communications, Tel: 094 95 42965

Mobile: 087 9185 867, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Expats aim to ‘give something back’ at worldwide Mayo convention

Media release issued by:               Sli Nua Communications

On behalf of:                                  Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention, Westport, Co. Mayo (May 27-29, ‘11)

Date:                                              February 14th, 2011

Available for interview:                  Brendan Duffy (087 667 2762), Donal Downes (087 257 0925), Sean Reid (087 235 5404), Michael Morley (087 232 3293)