When the Pan Celtic Festival began in Killarney in 1971 its primary objective was to foster better relations between the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, the Isle of Mann, Cornwall and Wales.

The Féile came to Tralee in 1995 to celebrate its 25th birthday and the ties that had been built up over the years were further strengthened to form true and long lasting friendships. Surely no better proof of the grá our fellow Celts have for our town is the fact that so many of them are making their annual trip back to Tralee again this year.

Many of our visitors are proud supporters of their own national festivals, to name but a few: The Royal National Mod hosted by An Comunn Gaidhealach in Scotland which takes place every October and the annual Welsh gathering, the Eisteddfod. The Pan Celtic is very honoured by and very grateful for the support and encouragement it receives from these national festivals whose tireless work in their own nations has nurtured and encouraged the cultures of our fellow Celts. Their encouragement through the years is further illustrated by their very visible support of Pan Celtic competitions. The winners of the Group section of the Traditional Song Competions are invited to attend the annual Gwyl y Cnapan festival in Ffostrassal,Wales and this active sponsorship by the Welsh Eisteddfod is gratefully acknowledged.
This festival is all about celebration, a celebration of what is ours.   wherever tine and destiny have taken them, the Celtic people have always nurtured their love of mausic, of sonf, of dance and of life itself.  And the Pan Celtic Festival, as the gathering of those peoples, is a celebration of that unique and richly cultursl way of life.

The streets of Tralee will come alive on the 17th of April as the 2001 Pan Celtic Festival gets underway.  Tralee is proud to host Pan Celtic 2001...with old friends and new we promise you a festival to remember - Join us!!