€30,000 for Rose of Tralee Festival – Deenihan

Minister of State with responsibility for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan TD has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD that €30,000 has been allocated to help fund the annual Rose of Tralee Festival.

“The Rose of Tralee attracts thousands of people to County Kerry, it is a major highlight in the calendar and an important element of our heritage.

“The funding announced today is part of a €320,000 programme by Fáilte Ireland under its National Festivals and Events Programme for 11 key national festivals and events. This follows an announcement of almost €2 million last November for larger events. 

“Festivals and events encourage greater visitor traffic and the Rose of Tralee in particular affords the Irish abroad or those of Irish heritage an opportunity to come to Kerry. Festivals enhance the visitor’s experience and they are very important in terms of generating employment and community engagement.

“The mission statement for the Rose of Tralee is ‘Connecting the Global Irish Community’. Events are run in over 70 Rose Centres at home and abroad.  In existence for over 50 years the festival has something for all ages. There are five days of street entertainment, parades, firework’s, marching bands, amusements, circus and events in the Festival Dome. The festival culminates with the crowning of the Rose of Tralee in the festival Dome which is televised live over two nights.

“I wish everyone involved in the festival the very best in their preparation and I commend Minister Donohoe and Fáilte Ireland for allocating this much needed funding.”