Disappointed that Garth Brooks has been cancelled? Never fear because Fáilte Ireland has announced a festival that might just give you a reason to don your Stetson anyway.
Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe has announced that Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Dublin’s tourism industry are stepping in to ensure that Garth Brooks’ fans can still have a weekend to remember if they go ahead with their travel plans to the city in the last weekend of July.
Fáilte Ireland has developed a ‘Dublin Goes Country’ campaign with some specially created country & western events to complement the vast range of events and activities that Dublin is already offering visitors during the July 25-29 period. These will include a series of music events at a variety of venues; themed menus at Dublin bars and restaurants and a series of nightly events featuring food, dance and music.
Donohoe emphasised, “Garth may not be coming, but Dublin is still here and there’s a lot happening in Dublin that week. The tourism industry is working hard to ensure Garth Brooks fans will have a reason to still come.”
Highlights announced by the Minister include Whelan's Bluegrass, Country & Roots Festival from July 25-27th; "In Lonesome Dame" – live Outdoor music in the Dame St District, from July 25-27th; An ‘OK Corral’ Busking Trail on Sat 26th July from the Grafton Quarter to Wolf Tone Square; which will feature well-known and up and coming acts playing in key locations; and Stetson and the City on Friday 25th July – a one day music trail, organised by the people behind Breakingtunes Irish Music portal and Hard Working Class Heroes Festival, which will showcase some of the best new country and folk bands in Ireland right now.
Many tourism businesses taking part will be providing their own themed and related special events as well as special offers that weekend.
Mary Collins from Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin team said, “It’s a credit to the local tourism industry that they have all pitched in at such short notice to help us provide an exciting alternative for the many Garth Brooks fans who had already booked flights and accommodation to be here. Even, if people didn’t have a ticket for Garth, we would encourage them to check out these events, get into the swing of things and grab their partners for what should be a great hoe-down in the city later this month”.
