Four festivals in County Donegal are receiving over €173,000 in Arts Council funding over the summer.
The funding is part of the Arts Council’s provision of €2.1m in support to over 40 festivals scheduled to take place all over Ireland this summer and early autumn.
The four festivals taking place in Donegal which have benefitted are:
28th July – 3rd August Earagail Arts Festival €165,000
1st – 4th August Ballyshannon Folk Tradditional Music Festival €3,500
30th August – 1st September Ceol na gCruach €2,250
September – October Da Capo Concert Series €2,250
The funding was made available to these festivals under yearly grants, with a number also receiving funding through the Arts Council’s festivals and events scheme.
The Arts Council grants allow these festivals to take place while ensuring that the arts are promoted in local communities all over Ireland. In addition to these festivals, the Arts Council also supports a wider range of small festivals across the country.
Many of the festivals have now become key dates on the summer cultural calendar and provide an important economic stimulus for the location they take place in.
Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council, said:
“The Arts Council is delighted to be able to fund these very important upcoming festivals. Many of these festivals have become household names and this is down to the great work that is being done on the ground and in organisations around the country.”
“In addition, these festivals provide an important economic stimulus for the regions where they are held. Each year, thousands of tourists travel not just from across Ireland, but from across the world, to sample the atmosphere and to take part in the excitement that these events generate. Despite the vagaries of our summer weather, these festivals give a lift to cities and towns and create many memorable moments for visitors and locals alike.”
“The support that the Arts Council pledges to these festivals is substantial. In many cases, it is likely that without this funding these events might not take place. The Arts Council is committed to supporting festivals throughout Ireland not only because they play such a vital role in the local economy, particularly when it comes to job creation and driving economic activity for both local businesses and local tourism but also because they provide wonderful arts experiences for those who attend.”
“Despite funding for the arts being cut by 30% in the last five years, the Arts Council remains dedicated to maintaining support for the arts and ensuring that events around the country are available for people across Ireland in the months and years ahead.”
ENDS/