Rose of Tralee, RIP 1959-2004?
Festival chief executive Siobhán Hanley yesterday said the future of the festival depended on the financial support of five organisations, which were each being asked to commit €50,000. The pageant has debts of €900,000.
Tralee Town Council, which is itself in financial crisis and under threat of dissolution; Shannon Development; Tralee and Kerry publicans; Tralee Chamber of Commerce and Holidays Tralee were represented at a crunch meeting in Tralee earlier this week. However, none of the organisations were prepared to make financial commitments.
Local businesses have, up to now, not been prepared to put their money on the table to bail out an event that has been a huge money-spinner for Tralee for 45 years.
Ms Hanley said other groups from outside Tralee were also interested in investing in the event and she remained positive. But, such groups would get involved only if the company was debt-free and if the other five organisations came on board.
The festival organisers have been trying to put a rescue package in place since November but have so far failed.
However, Ms Hanley said the majority of the company’s creditors had agreed to settle for payments amounting to 30% of what is owed to them.
Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue yesterday ruled out any further Government aid for the festival, which has received €550,000 in grants since 2001.
He said there was no provision in this year’s estimates to cover the festival’s current position.
“There is a 3million fund available for festivals. This fund is administered by Fáilte Ireland, but it is for events going forward and does not cover contingencies like this one,” Mr O’Donoghue added.
Pat Troy, of the Washington rose centre, yesterday called on restaurant owners and publicans in Tralee to come up with a rescue package.
“It’s time for the locals in Tralee to take control of the event and bring it back to the people,” he said.
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