Millions of festival-goers to boost economy

Over seven million people are expected to attend 600 festivals and cultural events throughout Ireland during the year.

The spate of events are expected to generate over €200m for the economy in 2006.

Shaun Quinn, chief executive of Failte Ireland, said: “Festivals and events are a very important part of the tourism product.

“They are an integral part of the Irish tourism offering while, at the same time, affording an opportunity for local people to enjoy the benefits. The variety and array of events which reaches every corner of Ireland give the visitor an opportunity to visit both urban and rural regions throughout all of Ireland.”

The Festival and Events Calendar 2006 highlights the Beckett Centenary Festival celebrating the birth of Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett, and the Galway International Oyster Festival.

Historical events marked in the calendar include the Puck Fair in Kerry, the 400-year-old event featuring a goat-crowning ceremony.

Mr Quinn said: “Irish festivals also promote Ireland as a tourist destination worldwide with 30% of festivals receiving international media coverage.

“On average, one-third of festival audiences book into local accommodation staying for at least one night.

"The indirect economic impact of visitors’ spend at many of these festivals on other sectors of the economy can be quite significant with the National St Patrick’s Festival generating over €58.3m and the Galway Arts Festival generating a spend of over €17m in Galway every July.”

Mr Quinn said Failte Ireland had invested over €15m over the past five years to boost festivals and cultural events across the country.

Two new music festivals feature in the brochure – Sligo Live and the World Fleadh in Ballybunion portraying Irish contemporary music.

Others festivals include the Street Performance World Championship being held in Dublin, which will feature 16 of the world’s best street performance acts.

The Celtic European Festival of the Sea is one of the many water-based festivals, which will take place along the North West Coast of Ireland starting on May 22 and finishing in Inishowen on June 4.