€1.9m Approved For Events In 2015

Funding of €1.945m has been approved by Fáilte Ireland for 16 national festivals and events to take place next year.

Minister for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring said: "Festivals and events are the lifeblood of tourism and are as much part of our appeal to visitors as the beauty of our landscapes and the friendliness of our people. Ensuring that we will have a rich variety of spectacle and experiences throughout the country and all year round next year, the funding announced today will provide a key component of our work in 2015 to grow visitor activity towards record levels.

"We will be keeping our foot on the pedal to grow tourism in the next 12 months and, in this respect, I look forward to being in a position to announce another round of funding for smaller and regional festivals as well."

The approved festivals being funded by Fáilte Ireland under its National Programme for Festivals and Events includes:

• St Patrick's Festival - €1m

• Galway Arts Festival - €200k

• Dublin Horse Show – €150k

• Wexford Festival Opera – €100k

• Fleadh Cheoil 2015 Sligo - €90k

• Kilkenny Arts Festival – €70k

• Cork International Choral Festival – €45k

• Cat Laughs Comedy Festival – €40k

• Cork MidSummer Festival – €25k

• Templebar Tradfest – €45k

• West Cork Chamber Music Festival - €40k

• Sea Sessions - €40k

• Rory Gallagher Festival - €40k

• Bike Fest - €30k

• Writers Week - €20k

• Cuirt - €10k



Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland said: "Ultimately, the success of a tourism destination depends on the experience of the visitor – the menu of things to see, do and embrace which every traveller seeks out. For Ireland, festivals are an important part of the mix which makes us an enjoyable place to visit and these events which we are announcing today will provide the backbone to the tourism calendar next year and add to our ability to grow overseas visitors and revenue."

(IT/CD)