Arts Council funding for six Clare festivals

SIX festivals in the county are to benefit from €20,000 in Arts Council funding, announced this week.

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival has received a €5,500 boost, while Winter Music Weekend Festival received €4,500. The Ellen ‘Nell’ Galvin Traditional Music festival and Ennis Street Festival will each receive €3,000 in funding, while Music in the Glen and the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend each benefit from €2,000.

The Festivals and Events Scheme is aimed at locally-based events which might otherwise find it difficult to take place without the support.

Speaking after the funding announcement Orlaith McBride, director of the Arts Council, said despite a 30% cut in funding for the arts since 2008 she is glad that support for the arts is maintained.

“The arts play a vital role in our economy, helping with local job creation, driving economic activity for local businesses and for local tourism. When Ireland doesn’t have the weather in a summer, many good memories are created for tourists, for families and for young people through these hugely important local events. Despite funding for the arts being cut by 30% since 2008, we see it as vital to counties such as Clare, and other areas across the country, that support for the arts is maintained within limited resources as far as is possible.”

She added that the range and ambition of festivals funded under the scheme demonstrates how central the arts are to people and the exciting talents that are in Ireland.

A total of €333,959 was awarded under the scheme across the country with 79 festivals and events benefiting out of the182 applications received.