Coach loads of Daniel O'Donnell fans have been arriving in his native Kincasslagh, Co Donegal for the 9th annual Donegal Shore Festival. His concert tonight in the festival dome sold out months ago and close on 2,000 fans are expected at the seated event. Eoin Mc Garvey reports.
Festival director Peter Boyle said last night everything is now in place for the five-day event and that the crowds are going to be bigger than expected.
"We have a huge crowd coming from England and Scotland and then we'll have the Irish, the locals and the odd few from other parts of the world," he said.
The annual "Belle of the Ball" event, where a special lady guest joins Daniel for the night, has been pulled from the festival programme since Daniel's marriage to Majella McLennan.
The festival is estimated to be worth over €4 million to the economy of west Donegal with in excess of 7,000 ticket sales for various dome concerts.
"We're looking at a spend of about €4 million over the five-days and the bulk of this will be left in the general area.
"This is serious money for this area any time of the year but especially now as the tourist season winds down," said a festival spokesman.
In a message yesterday to all the visitors, Daniel expressed his delight at the opportunity to welcome everyone to the festival and praised the untiring work of the dedicated committee.