Up to 20,000 people are expected to converge on Lough Derg in Co Clare on Sunday for the first air display to be held over the lake.
The event has been organised by the Lough Derg Air Spectacular group, a voluntary body whose remit is to promote and develop tourism in the area.
It had been feared plans to stage the event in Mountshannon would be scuppered by local opposition. However, after a meeting with community groups, the organising committee finally secured full support.
Sunday’s event is expected to cost about €20,000 to stage. Half the funding has been secured from Lakelands and Inland Waterways, part of Waterways Ireland, and other sponsors, on condition organisers raise a similar amount in matching funding.
One of the groups behind the event is Lough Derg-based Harbour Flights Ireland Ltd, which plans to operate seaplane flights from Mountshannon.
“We are looking to attract between 18,000 and 20,000 visitors on the day and, depending on the success of this show, it will become an annual event, with the intention of making it into a three- or five-day event ,” said event spokeswoman Rose Curtis.
“This inaugural and exciting free spectacular will feature aircraft from the Irish Air Corps, and some of the best civilian acts in Ireland,” Ms Curtis added.
