Enniskillen is expected to receive a major tourism boost this summer with the launch of the International Beckett Festival.

Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, speaking at the launch of the inaugural festival at Enniskillen Castle which takes place from August 23-27 said she was confident that the Happy Days Enniskillen International Festival will become a hugely significant event on the global cultural calendar especially for the thousands of devotees, academics and students of Samuel Beckett, our Nobel Prize-winning writer.

The festival will celebrate the life and works of the renowned playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, who was educated at Portora Royal School. It will feature world and UK premieres of some of the author's major and lesser-known works as well as visual art, music, comedy, circus acts and sport.

The Minister added, "This festival will be an important cultural event bringing together local and international audiences and artists, and will feature world and UK premieres of Beckett's major and lesser-known works. It will also be part of celebrations to mark Enniskillen's 400th anniversary." Another significant feature would be the festival's position as an integral part of the London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad.