After the great success last year of the different events organised by "Dun Laoghaire 1500", it was decided to develop a French cultural week as part of the tourist development board "Dun Laoghaire, Dublin's Riviera". Similar events, eg the American week, have attracted up to 200 000 people. It is hoped that this French week will be a major tourist attraction.

The board, which is a joint venture between Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council and various representatives of the local community, has developed a number of projects : the American week, the French week, the Horse show, the Garden festival, and the Oyster festival.

The French week in July, to coincide with the celebrations of Bastille Day, was organised last year together with the Association of the French in Ireland. We wish to repeat the event on a larger scale in 1999, to promote awareness of French culture and its influence on the world. It will consist of various events such as a French ball, boules / pétanque games, a cycle race (as done for the Tour de France), a rugby match, French art & culture, a French market to promote French products in Dun Laoghaire Area.

The main attraction within the French week will be the taste of France exhibition, where it is hoped to show and sell the best of French foods and crafts. The main feature of this will be a French style market with exhibitors mainly from the Brittany region, supported with French Irish companies. Wine tasting, cooking demonstrations and holiday promotion, French language promotion will complete the market.

We target 15 000 to 20 000 people to attend the event over the 5 days. Dun Laoghaire is also twinned with Brest and we hope to get the Marine ships from Brest back, as this added a great attraction last year.

Contact names :

Chair person of the French week : Elisabeth Labis Mac Mahon
Tel. 285 8540

Exhibition Director : Liam Plunkett
Tel & Fax 473 3584.