€8 fee for Maritime questioned

THE €8 entrance fee to the Irish Maritime Festival is an issue, the June meeting of Louth county council has heard.

There was wholesale praise for this year’s renewal on the Boyneside, which Cllr Joanna Byrne described as ‘phenomenal’, but she felt the cost of admission was being talked about in Drogheda more than the event.

Cllr Frank Godfrey agreed there is ‘a question mark over the price’ and noted ‘you don’t pay at all’ into other festivals.

He said the maritime festival was a resounding success.

‘It was fantastically run and everyone was delighted with it,’ noted Cllr Kevin Callan, and Cllr David Saurin said the crews engaged with the public.

It was accepted by director of services, Frank Pentony, that there is an issue with the fee.

However, he pointed out other such festivals in Fingal and Dublin charge €10, while the price is €20 for the tall ships in Dublin.

‘ The maritime festival is not a free event. We don’t break even on it.

‘ The alternative is to cut back on the programme or for Louth county council to put more money into it,’ Mr Pentony explained.