'Dubai Irish Festival' bringing Celtic charm to the Arabian desert

This exciting Irish music festival is scheduled to take place in Dubai between January 21st and 27th 2008 with a host of various events scheduled across the city of Dubai.

Several world class and internationally acclaimed Irish artists and performers are due to visit Dubai for the unique festival. Performers include Frankie Gavin & his band Hibernian Rhapsody, who have played with everyone from Stephane Grappelli to the Rolling Stones, distinguished Irish composer and performer and founder of the World Music Centre in Ireland Professor Mícheál O' Súilleabháin, world famous Irish tenor Anthony Kearns of the Irish Tenors and following his appearance on " Top of the Pops" and later with Jools Holland, leading contemporary singer Duke Special will also perform at the event in addition to other special guests.

The line up of exciting events includes a gala concert at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, (Mall of the Emirates) which will feature some of Ireland's greatest performers accompanied by the Dubai Philharmonic Orchestra, an "Irish Golf Day" at the Emirates Golf Club and an "Irish Racing Day" as part of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, hosted by world famous Irish Jockey Johnny Murtagh.

Tourism Ireland is delighted with their involvement and the opportunity to further promote the best that Ireland has to offer through the "Dubai Irish Festival".

Ms. Aiveen Ryan - Account Manager, Tourism Ireland, GCC,

''The role of Tourism Ireland is to market the island of Ireland overseas and this festival offers us a unique opportunity to focus on one of our most famed attractions, our music, tradition and culture. Therefore we are delighted to be the main sponsor for the festival. At all events during the week long festival there will be information available on Ireland as a holiday destination."

For Irish music lovers there will be a series of concerts in the Dubai Irish Village. Also performing is dynamic Irish duo Seamus Begley & Jim Murray and Cara Butler and Nathan Pilatzke of Riverdance and The Chieftains fame.

Speaking about the event, Festival Director Eric Cunningham was delighted with the array of Irish talent in the line up.

"In association with the Tourism Ireland, we see this as an opportunity to work together to showcase Ireland, to promote Ireland as a tourist destination and a place for doing business. We propose to do this by exporting the best facets of our nation's culture to Dubai where people will have the opportunity to learn about OUR music, song and dance traditions through a series of concerts and master classes. We do this knowing that the Ireland's warmth and traditions can be packaged to encourage tourism and business into Ireland at the same time as into Dubai. We also see this as an opportunity to entertain all those who live in and visit Dubai particularly the Irish themselves, while we are delighted a large contingent of people are scheduled to travel from Ireland for the event also" he said.

Other events include an "Irish Céilí" in the Arabian Desert, hosted by legendary Irish set dancers Pádraig & Róisín McEneaney, an Irish Music Session to launch the "Dubai Irish Festival" on Jumeirah beach and an "Irish Comedy Night" at the Rainbow Room at the Aviation Club in the presence of one of Ireland's finest comedians, Barry Murphy, known for his performances on Father Ted. Barry will be supported by another very popular Irish comedian Bernard O'Shea. Also attending is eternal Irish favourite Jason Fallon who will entertain the crowds with his wonderful array of songs and Irish wit.