|
Economy boost LOCAL festivals will generate ?300million
for the Irish economy this year.
But it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers to work
at the events, an umbrella body has warned.
The issue was debated at the annual conference of the Association of Irish
Festival Events (AOIFE) in Co. Galway last week.
AOIFE chief executive Colm Croffy said: “The costs of the festivals
and events season would rise 60 per cent if it were not for the free time
given by the 45,000 volunteers.
“If you had to pay a salary to every person at every barrier the
events would not be able to survive and cover their expenses.”
AOIFE oversees 401 festivals which attracted 8million people in 2007.
The most popular events are the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, the
Wexford Opera Festival, the Rose of Tralee, Kilkenny Arts Festival and
the Galway Arts Festival.
The Government and local authorities this year invested ?20million in
festivals.
|
