DINGLE

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Féile na Bealtaine aspires to build on the rich arts and culture that exists on the peninsula and to extend and broaden our artistic horizons - above all to entertain and to invigorate. The Dingle Peninsula has a rich cultural heritage. The Festival's aims are to highlight and promote this natural heritage, and to introduce the arts and artists from other parts of Ireland and the world to all of the people of Corca Dhuibhne and its bilingual culture.

The festivals reflect more than just the annual cycle of farmers and herders, they also relate to the political and religious life of Irish communities. Bealtáine - Good Fire, connected with the sun's warmth and the consequent fertility of crops and cattle. It was celebrated in Ireland and possibly in other Celtic countries. The festival was also associated with the Sun God 'Belenos' who was worshipped in Gaul, Italy and the Alps.The Irish year was basically divided into two parts Ó Samhain go Bealtaine is ó Bealtaine go Samhain.

TRALEE

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The Rose of Tralee International Festival is based on the love song The Rose of Tralee, by William Mulchinock a 19th century wealthy merchant who was in love with Mary O'Connor, his maid. The Festival as it is today stems from Tralee's Carnival Queen, once a thriving annual town event, fallen by the wayside due to post-war emigration. In 1957 Race Week Carnival was resurrected in Tralee that featured a Carnival Queen. A year later a group of local business people met in Harty's Bar in Tralee and decided to revamp the Carnival in a way that would regenerate the town, encourage tourism and keep the race crowd in town overnight. Since 1959 the Festival has grown, incorporating centres from all over the world and is firmly established on everyone's events calendar. RTÉ's live coverage of the Rose selection has helped install the Festival in the national psyche, and it has remained their top rating show for many years, with nearly a million people tuning in for the 2006 result.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival celebrates 49 years of continuous festival in 2008, and is one of Ireland's longest running festivals. It is based around the selection of the Rose of Tralee, an international event that encompasses young women of Irish descent from Ireland and around the world.

KILLARNEY

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Killarney Summerfest 2007 included a fabulous array of events including Children's Workshops, Street Theatre, Theatre in the Park, Hot Air Ballooning and the musical highlight of PINK in concert.

Killarney Summerfest is shaping up to be another fantastic experience and we are currently updating our website so please check back soon for full details on Killarney Summerfest 2008.

KILLORGLIN

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Killorglin in the geographical heart of Kerry is the venue for one of Ireland's most unusual street festivals - Puck Fair. The fair is one of Ireland's oldest and longest celebrated and is held without fail on 10th, 11th and 12th August every year with 12 hours of free family street entertainment. The main events of the festival include the traditional horse fair, parade and coronation ceremony of King Puck, open air night concerts, fireworks display, children's competitions, street entertainers and dancing displays.

CLICK HERE to download 2008 programme of events