The excitement was evident as Mayo & District Motorsport Club gathered in Óstán Oileán Acla last Friday night for the launch of the Óstán Oileán Acla/Connacht Print & Signs Mayo Stages Rally 2017. Guests arriving for the Achill People of the Year Awards which was also taking place in the Óstan got a preview of what’s in store on Rally weekend as they inspected a fine array of rally cars on display in the car park for the launch.
Clerk of the Course Trevor O’Connell kicked off proceedings by officially welcoming everyone to Óstán Oileán Acla, which will be Rally Headquarters for the weekend of the 11th and 12th March. He welcomed all the sponsors and had a special welcome for Andrew Mullen, MD of ‘Sligo Pallets’ who travelled from Sligo and Brendan Flynn from the ‘Border Championship’ who travelled from Monaghan especially for the night. The Mayo Stages Rally has been the first round in the ‘Sligo Pallets Border Championship’ for the last number of years and their support is much appreciated. Trevor thanked Cathal McLoughlin and his staff in the Óstán Oileán Acla for all their assistance and support in the lead up to the event, he welcomed joint title sponsor, David Devers, Connacht Print & Signs to the Island and thanked him for his ongoing support of the Mayo Stages Rally.
Trevor explained that the final touches are being put in place to ensure the Rally runs as smoothly as possible and that it will be a weekend to remember for the competing crews, spectators, sponsors and most importantly the local residents who have been so accommodating and welcoming to all. He added that without local support and sponsorship, it would not be possible to run the Mayo Stages Rally and he thanked everyone who has come on board – sponsors of Service Area, Marshal Meeting Points, Programme Sponsors, Stage & Scrutiny Sponsors. The weekend is a free family friendly event, one not to be missed and he asked that everyone support the sponsors as without their generosity events such as these would not be possible.
Trevor also welcomed Mary Gallagher and Emmet Callaghan of Achill Tourism and thanked them for their assistance and guidance in promoting the event. Emmet told all assembled that the Mayo Stages Rally will kick start the 2017 Summer Tourism Season in Achill and they are all looking forward to the Rally weekend. Trevor thanked Sgt Brian Murphy, his team in an Gardai Síochana and Mayo County Council, in particular Gerry McDonnell and Councillor Paul McNamara who have been very helpful. Wrapping up the formalities Trevor thanked his Deputy Clerk of the Course local man Peter McManamon and all the team for all their support and hard work and said they were all looking forward to the big event on the 11th/12th March. If anyone would like to help out over the weekend they can contact Trevor, Peter or any member of the Rally Team through the Motor club’s Facebook, Twitter or website.

Pictured at the Launch of the 2017 Mayo Stages Rally in Óstán Oilean Acla from left: Cillian Duffy, Derek Bolton, Donna and Peter McManamon; Trevor O’Connell, COC and Deirdre Burke; at back from left: John McCarthy; Samuel Carroll, David Breen, James Ruane Michael jackson; Alan Maguire and Lorraine Munnelly. Photo: © Michael Donnelly

Pictured at the Launch of the 2017 Mayo Stages Rally in Óstán Oilean Acla from left: Kevin Barnett, Cathal McLoughlin, Óstán Oilean Acla; Michael Lavelle, Trevor O’Connell, COC; Peter McManamon and David and Megan Devers, Connacht Print and Signs; Photo: © Michael Donnelly

Donna & Peter McManamon; Mary Gallagher, Achill Tourism; Trevor O’Connell, Clerk of the Course; Deirdre Burke, Event Secretary; Michael Lavelle, Emmet Callaghan, Achill Tourism

Peter McManamon Deputy Clerk of the Course; Brendan Flynn, Border Rally Championship; Trevor O’Connell Clerk of the Course; Andrew Mullen, MD Sligo Pallets.

Cathal McLoughlin, Manager Ostán Oileán Acla (Joint Title Sponsor), Trevor OConnell, Clerk of the Course; David & Megan Devers, Connacht Print & Signs (Joint Title Sponsor)

Trevor O’Connell COC

Mayo Stages Rally 2017 Launch in Óstan Oilean Acla