A NEW event at this year's Ceoil Chairlinn is the Friday afternoon seminar which will examine the role of traditional arts in developing peace and a sustainable future.

Entitled 'Shared Heritage and Common Interest' the seminar features an impressive line-up of speakers with who will discuss the issues around developing traditional arts as an aspect of crossborder, cross community peace building and as an increasingly important component of a sustainable cultural tourism approach.

'We are very lucky to have speakers of this calibre who can address what is an increasingly important issue for those of us interesting in preserving our culture,' says Sean O'Riordan of the Carlingford Community Development.

'Our shared traditional culture is a huge asset in attracting tourists to Ireland but we are in danger of losing what is unique,' he says. 'The traditional arts are of huge importance to our culture and the economy.'

He is delighted that the panel of speakers includes Helen O'Halloran, Traditional Culture Development Officer, Fáilte Ireland who will be speaking about sustainable cultural tourism.

Other speakers include Paul Flynn, head of traditional arts, Arts Council Ireland; Rosemary Farrell of the International Fund for Ireland; Brian Harten, Arts Officer, Louth County Council; Marie Donnelly, Carlingford Community Development; Deirdre Lewis, Shared Heritage and Myths Project, and musicians Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Mánus Lunny.

The seminar takes place in The Foy Centre, Dundalk Street, Carlingford. Further information from 9383624.