Minister To Intervene Over Listowel Festival Dates Sports Minister John O`Donoghue is set to intervene in the debate over the dates for next year`s Listowel Festival. Horse Racing Ireland have turned down the request for a change of date by the executive of the hugely popular County Kerry course as the new date for the races clash with the Home Internationals in golf at nearby Ballybunion. Locals have argued it would be better for the region and prospective visitors to have two good weeks rather one congested week, where accommodation and local facilities would be stretched to their limits.
