O’Donoghue plans ‘Day of Welcomes’

ARTS Minister John O’Donoghue will today unveil a multi-million euro package of festival events to turn Ireland into a cultural haven during the country’s six month stint as president of the European Union.

Highlight of the programme will be a national Day of Welcomes on Saturday, May 1, 2004 to mark the formal accession of the ten new member states into the union on that date.

Ten towns and regional cities named as hosts for delegations from each of the new member countries are already being primed to organise fairs showcasing local enterprise, culture and heritage, and will learn today which national events and attractions they have been allocated.