Value to host town can never be underestimated

All these romantic undertones can do terrible things to a man.

And almost all of them are financial.

But thankfully, while our wallets are emptied in a vain attempt to pluck a rose from the bunch every August, there is one consolation: The spending sprees are making an entire community just that little bit more recession-proof.

Every year, at least €8m is pumped into the Tralee economy as the population doubles as couples, families, friends, and occasional lotharios arrive. In the process, an area of rising unemployment has a cornered market with which to increase business income.

Michael McDonnell, owner of the Woodlands caravan and camping site just behind the luxurious Carlton Hotel which is the hub of the festival’s activity, has noticed the trend.

The site was booked up for weeks before this year’s showcase began, he says, and has “60 or 70” bookings for next year’s festival — helping to guard against a deepening recession.

“For lots of businesses it’s [the festival] a necessity, it’s those couple of weeks or those couple of days that pay the annual rates because it brings in such a huge crowd, and nice family crowds at that. I get people coming in here and I see them coming back with new shoes, a lot of them are doing children’s shopping here. It brings [the money] in. Traditionally with caravan parks, for every €1 we bring into ourselves the rule of thumb is that €4 will be spent locally.”

Marie Kirby, manager of the Kirby Brogue Inn, believes that without the aid locals would face a “significant gap” in funds.

The owners of Bridge St-based G Connolly’s jewellers and watchmakers, married couple Norma and Martin, confirm they’ve “had several engagements” on the back of the festival.

“The odd fella loses the run of himself, or is apologising for the night before. So you prefer for it, absolutely,” says Norma.

The festival has its detractors, and is in some people’s eyes prone to the occasionally cringe-worthy sight.

However, in a county that has seen unemployment rocket 150% to 16,003 in a decade and witnessed out of work levels double in four years, with Tralee itself having 6,823 on the dole, the annual festival’s value can never be underestimated.