Festivals call for safeguards to protect ticket revenues

Two major festivals in Ireland are facing significant financial hardship after the collapse of ticketing platform Tickets.ie, leaving them collectively owed more than €400,000. The Rory Gallagher Festival in Donegal is seeking approximately €283,000, while the Cowboys and Heroes Festival in Leitrim is owed over €130,000. Both events have initiated legal proceedings to reclaim their lost earnings. Festival organizers learned of the crisis when attempts to withdraw revenue revealed that Tickets.ie had ceased trading and was entering liquidation. Simon Power, Managing Director of the Cowboys and Heroes Festival, described the situation as "absolutely devastating" for the event, which is in its 12th year. He noted that the ticketing company ceased operations immediately after the festival concluded, leaving them struggling to pay suppliers and potentially facing difficulties through 2027. Power expressed concern that without prior warning, they could not switch to alternative vendors, as 50% of their sales occurred in the month leading up to the festival. He is calling for legislation to ring-fence ticket revenues, arguing that ticket agents should adhere to the same financial practices as auctioneers and solicitors, who are legally required to maintain client accounts. The situation has cast a shadow over the future of the Rory Gallagher Festival, a 23-year-old event, with organizers uncertain if it can continue.

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absolutely devastating