Wales 'boosted by festivals'

Tourism in Wales has been enhanced by a number of new events taking place this summer, which may interest those crossing from Ireland on ferries from Dublin to Holyhead.

The tally of summer festivals has now climbed to 150, Wales Online reports, with examples including the Machynlleth Comedy Festival last weekend.

A spokesperson for tourist authority Visit Wales said 40 per cent of those attending the festival last year came from outside Wales.

Other events around Wales include the Llandovery Sheep Festival, Wrexham Beer Festival, Pembrokeshire Fish Week, Cardiff Mardi Gras and The Green Man music festival.

And visitors arriving at Holyhead can reach Bangor as soon as they cross from Anglesey to the mainland, with this being the home of the inaugural Kaya music festival on June 1st.

Co-founder of the event Thabani Nyoni said: "We are keeping ticket prices at a reasonable level to encourage local people and families to attend," adding: "Larger impersonal festivals are being hit by the economic climate; there is still a place for smaller capacity cottage festivals that offer a unique music experience."

This is one of a number of music festivals visitors may enjoy, with the Arts Council of Wales helping to fund some of them.

Spokesperson Nick Capaldi said: "Wales' festivals attract thousands of visitors each year from across the globe."

Visitors from Ireland can also enjoy some enduring attractions in Wales, with the Welsh coastal path having opened over the May bank holiday weekend.

It stretches 870 miles from the Dee estuary in the north to Chepstow in the south and those disembarking at Holyhead can actually join it nearby, as it includes the Island of Anglesey and joins the mainland by crossing the famous Menai Bridge.

Those exploring the north Wales coast may also enjoy visiting the Great Orme, a large peninsula rising up from the town of Llandudno, which has a tramway to the top and includes a prehistoric copper mine.

Posted by Mark Robinson

Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on:

01/06/2013 - 02/06/2013

£35

Get Price for 123456789 passenger(s)Go

Dublin - Holyhead

Car + 2 Return

Travelling on:

01/06/2013 - 02/06/2013

£165

Get Price for 123456789 passenger(s)Go

Holyhead - Dublin

Car + 4 Return

Travelling on:

22/06/2013 - 22/06/2013

£225

Get Price for 123456789 passenger(s)Go

* Prices are "from prices" and are indicative only

More ferry cheap prices