Council approves €104,250 support package for community led festivals , events & venues

Today (11th March 2019), the elected members of Carlow County Council approved €104,250 worth of supports to County Carlow community led festivals , events and venues for 2019.

The community, festival , event and tourism venue grant scheme aims to promote and support local festivals and to support and assist those events that have a tourism focus which feature a cultural/artistic or community ethos. 23 Festivals & Events will receive support under the scheme which is rolled out by Carlow County Councils – Local Enterprise Office with support of the Arts, Community & Amenity sections with 3 community led tourism venues also receiving support funded by Carlow County Council & Failte Ireland.

Speaking about the support package approved by members, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Brian O'Donoghue said “we are delighted to support this funding to community led tourism festivals , events and venues and we look forward to working with our communities in creating an enhanced visitor and resident experience which will in turn benefit all”, O’Donoghue continued to say “I congratulate all the communities who were awarded funding today which at the core want to create a family and community experience in their area”.

Commenting on the scheme , Bernie O’Brien , Director of Services with Carlow County Council said “the Festivals , Events & Venue scheme is designed to support festivals and events which have put in place the conditions to create sustainable experiences for all and we commend the community and voluntary effort by all groups who will benefit from this fund” , O’Brien continued to say “we in Carlow County Council in partnership with Failte Ireland are committed to providing support to these groups which in turn will result in an economic , social and cultural benefit to the county”

The Tourism Sector is a major benefactor of the Festival & Event scheme, and Cllr. John Murphy , Chairperson of Carlow Tourism said “supporting our Tourism Enterprises is essential in these challenging times for the sector and sustainable festivals and events which support consumer spending in our tourism and hospitality establishments around the county is essential” , Murphy continued to say “the tourism sector is an essential provider of employment and the importance of creating real visitor experiences for a variety of different users as part of Irelands Ancient East is of paramount importance in order to capitalize on this sector”

Outlining the next steps , Kieran Comerford , Head of Enterprise said “we are delighted with the increased level of engagement in this scheme which supports the vision for creating new, sustainable festivals and events in County Carlow” , Comerford continued to say “in April we will meet each grant awardee in order to explain the grant process and the conditions and supports which will provided as part of the scheme”.

A briefing session for successful grants will be held in April 2019. The 2020 call for festivals and events will be held in December 2020 (subject to budget) and for further information on the Festival & Event Scheme contact Helen Ryan on hryan@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783.

Overview of Budget

Festival Grants (Listed Below)                          €78,750

Venue Grants (€2000 per venue)                      €  6,000

Failte Ireland Grants (Listed Below)                  €19,500

Total Budget                                                     €104,250

Name of   Event

Date(s)   of Event

Approved Carlow County   Council Grant 

Approved   Failte Ireland Grant

Pre-Development of Pan Celtic   2020

Easter 2020

€               12,500.00

 

Follow me up to Carlow - Set   Dancing Weekend

4th - 6th October

€                5,000.00

 

Carlow Garden Festival

27th July - 5th Aug

€              12,500.00

€             7,500.00

Carlow Autumn Walking Festival

4th - 6th October

€                3,000.00

 

Columbian Way Annual Walk

25th & 26th May

€                1,000.00

 

Fleadh Cheoil Cheatharlach

12th - 14th April

€                4,000.00

 

Borris Festival of Writing &   Ideas

7th - 9th June

€              10,000.00

€             3,500.00

Summerfest Carlow 2019

1st & 2nd June

€                2,500.00

€             2,000.00

Carlow Arts Festival

5th - 9th June

 

€             3,000.00

Carlow Fringe Arts Festival

6th - 16th June

€                2,500.00

 

Scarefest

October

€                3,000.00

€             1,000.00

Big Houses and Gardens Festival

October

€                3,500.00

€             2,500.00

Carlow Rooster Festival

October

€                5,000.00

 

Blackstairs Farming Group Hill   Farming Showcase

15th September

€                1,000.00

 

Tullow Agricultural Show

18th August

€                1,500.00

 

Carlow Pride Festival

21st July

€                1,500.00

 

Younity Outreach

13th July

€                1,250.00

 

Carrigduff Childrens Festival

20th July

€                1,000.00

 

Go Green Expo

3rd May

€                1,000.00

 

Borris Tidy Towns Fire Works   Display

31st Dec

€                3,000.00

 

Summer Sunday

7th July

€                1,000.00

 

Elvis Roots Festival

TBC

€                1,000.00

 

Carlows 7th International Bridge   Congress

3rd - 5th May

€                2,000.00

 

Ends

For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie