Rose of Tralee Launch International Festival 2000

The Brandon Hotel in Tralee was buzzing on Tuesday night, 20th June, as details of this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival were unveiled to the over 200 people present, which included members of the Festival, Press and general public. Speakers included Niall O'Loinsigh (Press Officer) and Noreen Cassidy (Chief Executive). Mr. O'Loinsigh presented some very interesting statistics which the Festival had gleaned from a special survey carried out during last year's Festival. Amongst other things it showed that the total revenue generated by the event was £18 million approx. and that the vast majority of those who attended last year were delighted with the programme and planned to return again.

This year's Rose of Tralee Festival will feature a free open-air line-up which includes Westlife, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Dé Danann, Kieran Goss, Reamonn and over 40 other acts that will play live in Tralee during the Festival, which takes place from 18th to 22nd August next.

The Festival Dome entertainment will be headlined by Cream - The world's No. 1 Dance Club, featuring some of the top International DJ's on the nights of Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th.

The Festival will begin on Friday August 18th with in a free open-air concert. The Rose Ball will feature Abbaesque in the spectacular Festival Dome.

Exclusive to Ireland, Children's entertainment will be provided by Nickelodeon TV's Red Hot Lobster Tour. This year's Festival will also include for the first time some cultural events, particularly Irish Language events. The Meadowlands Hotel in Oakpark will be the nerve centre for the Irish Festival Club each night and Kerry Group, Kerry County Council and Samhlaoicht Chiarrai have co-operated in organising the first Rose of Tralee Film Festival, which will take place (after the main Festival has ended) on 24th and 25th August. This is a brand new initiative and will feature Irish films, workshops and Disney classics, according to Chief Executive, Noreen Cassidy.