News
Celtic Steps awaits planning reprieve
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EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
The operators of Celtic Steps are hopeful a resolution can be found to their recent planning permission plight after An Bord Pleanála, last month, put a stop to events taking place at night at Killarney Racecourse.
Planning officials were reacting to complaints from local residents following repeated incidents of late-night noise and traffic near the racecourse.
As a result, the popular Irish dance show was left without a home and faced an uncertain future unless something could be done.
Earlier this month Celtic Steps owner, David Rae, confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that he himself would apply for permission to continue running the dance show at the venue.
He is hopeful that by going alone he will be able to secure the future of the six-time weekly summer time show.
Mr Rae remains tight-lipped on the outcome of his meeting with An Bord Pleanála, although he did confirm to the Killarney Advertiser that a new planning application has been lodged.
Celtic Steps did release a statement on Tuesday.
‘With the 2020 season fast approaching, we are looking forward to reopening in the Killarney Racecourse and the Brandon Conference Centre, Tralee, for what will be the ninth season of Celtic Steps The Show,’ it said.
‘In the meantime, we would like to sincerely thank the local residents, business-people and close-knit community of Killarney, as well as other communities within County Kerry and worldwide, for your continued support of Celtic Steps The Show and your immense display of passion for the prosperity of Irish Culture, storytelling, music and dance’.
Celtic Steps is also pushing on with its recruitment drive for its 2020 summer season both for its Tralee and Killarney shows.


