Friendly festival music to fans’ ears

ROARING ticket sales, record visitor numbers and a bigger-than-ever programme of events have conspired to make this year’s Guinness Jazz Festival in Cork the biggest in its 30-year-history.

More than 1,000 musicians poured into the city, defying the rain and the wind, over the course of the holiday weekend and ensured another profitable few days for local hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes.

With about 40,000 visitors, it is estimated that the festival could be worth about €25 million to the local business community this year, as the last hooley before Christmas is celebrated with gusto.