Festivals good for finances and fun as millions pack events
And not only are festivals occasions of fun, but they also generate direct investment worth €8.9 million to the local economies that put them on. In the wider economy, the festival industry provides spin-off spending in other sectors of an estimated €31.7m a year.
Details of the research findings were given by the Association of Irish Festival Events (AOIFE), which began its three-day annual conference in Tralee's Brandon Hotel yesterday.
The future of Irish festivals seems secure, with one in four of the voluntary workers under 25 years of age. "We see this as important in terms of the continuation of festival committees," said Tralee-based Ted Keane.
Irish festivals could not exist without the support of volunteers. Those who helped out free of charge was equivalent to 185 people working full time, with a minimum wage bill of €2.2m.
"At least 10,626 events were promoted by festivals the equivalent of 30 events happening all over the country every day of the year," said Mr Keane, who advises AOIFE.
Data for the baseline research was supplied by 103 festivals.
Free events were laid on by the vast majority of festival organisers, with at least five million attendances. However, more than two million tickets were sold to paying customers.
