Around 260 people have signed a petition calling for a nationalist event in Co Leitrim to be cancelled. It's due to go ahead in Drumshanbo next month. The Mise Éire festival is taking place in the Mayflower Community Centre on August 23rd, and Castlerea native John Waters is among the speakers. The event says it's for those who cherish Irish culture and heritage and are united in celebrating our shared values. Leitrim and Roscommon Against Fascism wants it called off. It says it has secured the 260 signatures in Drumshanbo last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when large crowds were around for the Joe Mooney Summer School. But the Mayflower Community Centre is allowing the event go ahead.
Its chairman, Sean Wynne, says he's overwhelmed by the amount of local people who have expressed their support for allowing the festival proceed. He says it's unfortunate committee members, who gave their time freely, would have to endure this type of unnecessary hassle. He says the campaign against the festival going ahead is being led by people from outside the area. However, another member of the committee, Brendan Barry, says he's hoping the event doesn't go ahead:
