The idea of holding a Celtic Festival came to frutition during the early seventies. A committe was formed in Killarney to discuss the idea of possibly organising a Festival during Spring. Many motions were put forward including a Celtic occasion from Con O'Connaill. They chose "Gwyl Gerdd Bach" ( The Composer) a "Small Music Festival". Con decided to organise a festival on his own.

It was May 1971 when the first Celtic Festival was held. "The Pan Celtic Festival". The only performers outside of Ireland were two from Wales( Meredydd and Phyllis Evans) and four from Britanny ( The Les Tregerez Group and Alan Stivell).

After a suggestion by Maredydd Evans following the 1971 Festival Con O'Connaill came over to the National Eisteddfod to establish contacts. After this he visited the other Celtic Nations and established contacts in every one, and it was these contacts which formed the nucleus of the committee. Therefore representatives from Scotland, Ireland, Britanny, Isle of Man, Wales and Cornwall came over to take part in the 1972 Festival.

During the 1972 Pan Celtic Festival a meeting was held where a structure was decided upon and Con O'Connaill was asked to produce a draft of the constitution and sent to everyone to study and to work on the draft before the 1973 Festival.

The constition was adopted in a meeting during the 1972 Festival. Soon afterwards six National Committees were established representing the interests of the countries.

The festival was held in Killarney until 1990 when it was decided to change location since the support was beginning to ebb. The Festival was held in Galway (1991- 1994) Tralee (1995 -1996) Ennis ( 1997) and then returned to Tralee (1998 - 2000), it wasn't possible to hold the Festival in 2001 because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It was held in Kilkenny (2002- 2003),Tralee(2004-2005) Letterkenny (2006-2007) and Donegal Town ( 2008-2009)

The main objective of the Festival according to the constitution of the Pan Celtic Festival is to promote and to foster the languages,music,the songs,and Celtic Games and to urge the interaction of cultures, knowledge and tourism in the countries of Scotland, Wales, Ireland,Cornwall Britanny and the Isle of Man.