McAleese to open celebration of Irish culture as festival hits Cork

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese will tomorrow open the country’s biggest Irish language and cultural festival.

Up to 10,000 people have arrived in Cork for Oireachtas na Gaeilge events with highlights including a special show by comedian Des Bishop, and the Steip sean-nós dancing finals which will be broadcast live on TG4 from the Opera House.

“The Oireachtas last took place in Cork in 2005 and was such a great success that it is still talked about by both locals and visitors,” Oireachtas na Gaeilge director Liam Ó Maolaodha said. “We are very much looking forward to returning to Cork and the newly renovated Rochestown Park Hotel and welcoming President Mary McAleese, who this year will be officially opening the festival.”