Pictured at the Launch Of Adare Village Festival 2010 Programme were: Maura Kelly, Adare Heritage Center, Jason Cummins, Pallas Foods, Elaina Fitzgerald, Woodland House Hotel, Tom O'Keefe, Adare & Sarah Stuart Trainor, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.Picture Credit: Brian Gavin Press 22
An estimated 60,000 people will descend on the County Limerick town of Adare today for the start of the fourth annual Adare Village Festival.
Tiger Woods will make his first international appearance in a golf tournament since his return to the sport when he takes part in the JP McManus Pro Am Golf Tournament at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
Woods will join fellow professionals Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, José Maria Olazabal and Jim Furyk as well as a host of stars from the world of show business. They include pop group Westlife, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill, Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn, Jockey A.P. McCoy, Michael Flatley, Munster’s Paul O’Connell, Harry and Jamie Redknapp, and actors Hugh Grant, Kyle Mac Lachlan, Samuel L. Jackson, Aidan Quinn and Michael Douglas.
The 2010 Adare Village Festival will also feature the Adare Village Festival Raceday at Limerick Racecourse, live music, local and national art exhibitions, food and craft markets, street entertainment, and history and heritage tours.
Festival co-ordinator and Chairperson of the Adare Business Association, David Fitzgerald described the festival as a relaxing and family-friendly event.
He explained: “This festival will provide a timely economic boost to Adare as well as help promote the village as an attractive visitor destination for the growing domestic tourist market.”
He added: “Festival goers will be able to rub shoulders with celebrities from the world of sport and showbiz as they enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment that reflects Adare’s rich and varied culture and history. The involvement of so many musicians, artists, literary figures and members of the local community will no doubt contribute greatly to the diverse programme of events”.
Attractions include street entertainment and other nightly music sessions in venues around Adare, a local Irish food and craft showcase, historical and heritage exhibitions and workshops, family fun day and barbeque, family street theatre, storytelling, and guided tours of Adare’s many heritage attractions.
The Festival Programme also includes and a sale of antique, vintage and contemporary jewellery. Meanwhile, an open deck double-decker bus will operate around the village, which is located 15 minutes from Limerick City.
The Adare Village Festival 2010 is organised by the Adare Festival Committee, comprising local business and community representatives.
The annual event is sponsored by Shannon Development, Failte Ireland, Pallas Foods, Heineken Ireland, Nash's Beverages, Limerick County Council and Allied Irish Bank (AIB).
For more information call the Adare Festival Office on 061-396255, email Touristofficeadare@shannondevelopment.ie or visit www.discoverireland.ie/shannon.
