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