Failte Ireland’s €4m plan to bring ‘Spirits of Meath’ Festival to the world

JOHN DONOHOE
Athboy county councillor and chairman of Meath Tourism, Cllr David Gilroy, has described the news that Failte Ireland is to get behind the Halloween festival at the Hill of Ward in Athboy as an endorsement of the 'Spirits of Meath' Festival of the last 10 years.
It has been reported that Failte Ireland is to spend €4 million on a new “large-scale international” festival centred around Tlachtga, following an advertisement on the government's e-tender website.
The notice states: “Fáilte Ireland require a Service Provider (s) to programme, produce and promote the Samhain/Halloween Festival, as a large scale international festival to celebrate Ireland as the original home of Halloween which began as the ancient tradition of Samhain - the ancient New Year. The festival will motivate overseas visitors to Ireland at off-peak times and disperse tourism to areas outside of hotspots.”
It is believed that the festival of Samhain first originated at the top of the Hill of Ward,  an event promoted by Meath and Boyne Valley Tourism over the past decade.
Cllr Gilroy says this is a great example of county councils and Failte Ireland getting together to promote the Boyne Valley and Ireland's Ancient East, and the ultimate event will also see input from the community and existing local tourism providers.
The proposed dates for this year’s festival is 31st October, 1st and 2nd November. It is hoped that this will grow to a 10-day event by 2022. Deadline for receipt of tender bids is 23rd January and Failte Ireland say they will not be making any official announcement on it until after the tender is awarded.