Excitement inWexford as two weeks of events kick off

THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR to Ireland His Excellency Jean-Pierre Thébault will officially open the 65th Wexford Festival Opera in front of an expected crowd of 20,000 people on Wexford Quayfront tomorrow ( Wednesday), October 26, at 7 p.m.

A native of Lourdes, the Ambassador is a regular visitor to County Wexford, attending the Opera Festival every year since his diplomatic appointment some years ago. He is also a strong promoter of Wexford tourism and business.

‘We are very honoured to have him as the guest speaker on the opening night, He has been a great friend to us and it is our way of recognising his contribution to the festival and also standing in solidarity with the French people following the terrorist attacks this year. His presence is appropriate given that the 2016 festival is opening with the French opera Herculanum,’ said a festival spokesperson.

After the Ambassador declares this year’s international opera event officially open, the skies over Wexford Harbour will light up with a spectacular fireworks display signalling the start of 12 sparkling days of opera, art and entertainment and causing Wexford to come to life and put on its party frock just as other counties snuggle in for the winter.

There is another light on the horizon for Wexford Festival Opera as it officially leaves the dark days of the global economic downturn behind. In 2009, the festival was shortened from 18 to 12 days due to a decline in worldwide ticket sales associated with the recession.

There was a positive turning point in 2014 when box office receipts picked up and a marked improvement again in 2015 prompting the board to restore the festival to its former 18day glory in 2017 to meet the rising demand for tickets. This is good news for Wexford which receives a major economic boost from the festival with an estimated 50,000 people arriving in town to attend main stage and fringe events each year.

‘As we reach our 65th birthday, we are delighted that bookings are up and that there is so much interest in the festival at home and abroad,’ said festival chairman Ger Lawlor.

‘We’re meeting this demand by adding an extra weekend next year,’ he said, thanking the people of Wexford for their continuing support, especially the 300-strong army of volunteers who give their time freely to the event.

‘We constantly hear from visitors and members of the opera company about how welcoming, friendly and helpful Wexford people are towards them when they come here,’ said the chairman.

Tommorrow night, people will be arriving from all over the south east to watch the opening fireworks display and Wexford gardai will be out in force to ensure that the evening runs safely and smoothly.

Traffic restrictions will be in place from early evening with Wexford Quay due to be closed from 5 pm until 9 pm. Motorists are advised that the road will be closed from the junction of Wexford Bridge with Commercial Quay to the junction of King Street Lower with Paul Quay. Alternative routes will be provided and signposed for those travelling in and out of town.