Press Release
Monday 9th March, 2015
Local Events in County Carlow Urged to Apply For Community Tourism Grants
Application Process for 2015 Funding Opens
For Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora
Carlow County Council today announced that applications for funding are now being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora. The initiative, launched last year, builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering 2013 and is a joint partnership between Carlow County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.
Now in its second year, the scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year. Last year, the 15 local events were supported in County Carlow, attracting up to 973 visitors from overseas. The festivals funded last year included:
- Carlow 2nd International Bridge Congress
- Barrow River Arts Festival
- Irish Open 2014 Ballroom & Latin Dance Competition
- Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas
- Elvis Celebration Weekend
Administered locally by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Carlow County Council, the application process for 2015 is now open and will close on March 31st. Interested parties are advised to contact Anna Byrne, 059 9129785 email: abyrne@carlowcoco.ie to apply.
Announcing this year’s funding, Bernie O’Brien, DOS, Carlow County Council emphasised:
“We all witnessed the benefits from The Gathering and this scheme gives us an opportunity to build on its legacy. The Community Tourism Initiative allows us to sustain many of the grass roots networks which sprang to life during The Gathering in [County] and sustain an infrastructure of events and relationships which will have long term tourism and social benefits for this region for many years to come.
“For that reason, I would urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”
Local authorities throughout the country are now accepting applications in order to determine those local events with the best potential to have the impact and long-term potential to make a difference. The initiative is being administered at local level with the grant applications and awards being decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.
ENDS
Click on the link below to view full detail and application forms
Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative Application Form and Details
