Picture: Domnick Walsh
This year’s Rose of Tralee festival will not feature a glamorous Rose Ball – the highlight of the annual celebration for many people – or any street entertainment events organised by the festival committee.
The organisers instead plan to provide a more affordable and accessible community event to replace the €200-a-head black tie ball and they will leave the organisation of street entertainment up to local businesses.
It has been confirmed too that the two televised selection nights will be broadcast from the Kerry Sports Academy in the Munster Technological University in Dromtacker.
The Rose of Tralee festival will take place on August 18-23 but the decision of the organisers not to organise street entertainment and to discontinue with the Rose Ball has caused shock in the town.
The festival said it has opted to pass the organisation of the street events back to the town but will provide support and advice.
The cost of running the festival has been rising quite dramatically but, festival bosses report, financial support has not increased over the past decade.
In a statement, the festival said it has been in discussions with local partners over the past six months to advise them that responsibility for the delivery of future festivals needed to be rebalanced and placed on a broader local platform.
“The festival has now decided to pass the organisation of the street’s events back to Tralee town, with a commitment to provide any support and advice required to allow a smooth transition,” the statement said.
The organisers said the move provides an opportunity to enhance and develop the street festival which can best be activated through community ownership.
“This repositioning should facilitate better corporate and local support and strengthen the event’s capacity to gain a fairer share of tourism and arts grants,” the festival added.
Anthony O’Gara, executive chairman of the festival, said that the festival team remains passionate about the event, its proud history and heritage as it provides a platform for connecting the global Irish community through the celebration of exceptional Irish women.
He said he is confident that Tralee people will rise to the challenge provided by this opportunity and that their involvement will enhance the festival, reflecting the respect and esteem in which the event is held locally.
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