AN all-out effort is under way in Tralee to ensure the recession doesn’t dampen celebrations at the 50th annual rose festival in August.

EVER since he purchased his first fiddle for two old pounds at the age of 14, Mikey Duggan has been an integral part of the traditional music scene in the Sliabh Luachra area, straddling the Cork/Kerry border.

UPWARDS of 50,000 people are expected to flock to Ballybunion, Co Kerry, for the week-long World Fleadh, which got underway yesterday.