Pictures: Pan Celtic International Festival ‘24 officially launches in Carlow!

Rowena Dooley, President Carlow Chamber officially launching the Pan Celtic International Festival '24

County Carlow Chamber President Rowena Dooley officially launched the Pan Celtic International Festival ‘24 in Carlow Town Hall recently.

The six-day international festival will welcome visitors from the participating nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, the Isle of Man and Cornwall as well as from across Ireland to County Carlow.

2024 will mark the 50th Pan Celtic Festival and will run from 2nd to 6th April 2024.

Chair of Festival Committee, Bríde de Róiste said "Pan Celtic is a big festival which requires a big budget and we are so grateful to Carlow Local Authorities & Local Enterprise Office who continue to be main sponsor of the festival as well to our newcomer and very generous partner for 2024, NUA."

Donations to support Carlow hosting the festival can be made on the Pan Celtic iDonate Crowdfunding Page

It was announced that the Garda Band will return to the festival as well as, the colourful nations parade, street entertainment, open mic and impromptu pub sessions. It was also announced that the Kilfenora Céilí Band will be playing at the Pan Celtic Céilí for the first time. The event will be held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel on Friday, 5th April from 8-11pm.

"Admission will be just €15 and the event will be appeal to set dancers as well as to those who just want to listen to the one and only Kilfenora Band", said Bríde.

Rowena Dooley commented on Carlow benefitting from the host town, saying, "From a business and economic perspective, the advantages of hosting this festival are really remarkable and can’t be overstated. This year’s international festival generated over €1million to the local economy and we welcomed over two thousand visitors to Carlow. It provided a great economic boost to our local hotels, B&Bs, bars, taxi drivers, restaurants, shops and cafes. I would ask businesses, hoteliers, pub owners and retailers of Carlow to put their best front forward and present their premises and staff in their Sunday best every day over the duration of festival.

It’s up to all businesses, community groups and Carlow people to support this festival and to do what we can in terms of volunteering, participating, supporting and of course our donations. It gives me immense pride to officially launch the Pan Celtic International Festival 2024. Tá áthas an domhain orm Féile Idirnáisiúnta Pan Cheilteach 2024 a sheoladh go hoifigiúil."