Naas to benefit from huge numbers expected at Punchestown Festival – Lawlor

“Naas is set to benefit from the huge numbers of people expected to visit the Punchestown festival at the end of the month”, is according to Anthony Lawlor, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North.

“The festival which runs from Tuesday, 28th April to Saturday, 2nd May is expecting 110,000 racegoers. This influx of people to the area will be really good for the Naas economy with people visiting the pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. Crucially we are expecting 21,500 overseas visitors to the festival which means lots of tourists staying in local hotels and B&Bs.

“The total economic impact of the event is set to exceed €65 million which is fantastic for a town like Naas.

“Local businesses are really embracing the festival with 14 races sponsored by Kildare based companies. They know the festival is good for business and it is great to see them supporting it. The paint the town red competition for local shops is yet another example of the town gearing up for Punchestown.

”An interschool art competition with a Punchestown theme will also take place, with 7,000 paintings to be displayed on the Saturday of the festival. It is great to get everyone in the community involved from young to old.

“We can all look forward to a bumper week for Naas during Punchestown 2015.”