Ireland needs to create two or three iconic festival events to cater for tourists, Fáilte Ireland said yesterday. The tourism body's chief executive, Shaun Quinn, said Fáilte Ireland wanted to work with event organisers to build up two or three large "must-see" events, preferably outside Dublin.
"We believe that Ireland needs probably another two or three really large events of international standing," he said.
Mr Quinn said the events must have the potential to draw large crowds and must have good earning potential. "We would put money into that to seed fund it, so hopefully over time it would become self -sustaining."
He was speaking at the launch of Fáilte Ireland's 2007 festivals and events calendar. It lists almost 600 festivals and cultural events around the State, including arts and drama festivals, literary events, sporting festivals and historical celebrations.
Mr Quinn said more than seven million people were expected to attend these events, generating spending of more than €200 million. Fáilte Ireland has spent more than €16 million on festivals and cultural events during the last five years.
Mr Quinn said festivals indirectly boosted tourism as 30 per cent of these events received international media coverage. More than 50 media staff from 16 countries will attend St Patrick's Day festival activities around the country this weekend at the invitation of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Mr Quinn said the indirect economic impact of visitors' spend at festivals was "quite significant". Events relating to St Patrick's celebrations generated almost €60 million each year while the Galway Arts Festival generated more than €20 million in Galway every July, he said.
On average, one-third of festival audiences book into local accommodation and they typically stay for at least one night.
2007 festivals: preliminary schedule
May 4th-7th: Cuckoo Walking Festival, Tarbert, Co Kerry
May 6th -20th: Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, Dublin
June 14th-17th: Lismore Festival of Travel Writing, Co
Waterford
July 12th-15th: Athy Bluegrass Music Festival, Co Kildare
July 21st: Carlingford Lough Endurance Challenge, Co Louth
Aug 3rd-6th: Dan Paddy Andy Festival, Lyreacrompane, Co Kerry
Aug 24th-26th: Surfing Blitz, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare
Sept 8th-15th: Rosslare Small Boat Festival, Co Wexford
Sept 10th-16th: Flight of the Earls Rathmullan Festival, Co
Donegal
Sept 13th-16th: Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford town
October 29th: Irish Conker Championships, Freshford, Co
Kilkenny
Nov 18th - 20th: World Rally Championship, northwest region
Dec 26th: Carrigaline Wren Boys Street Carnival, Co Cork
