Carlow County Council has this week announced community festival, events and venue funding to 23 Community organisations in the County. Grants totally €87k were approved by Carlow County Council’s February Meeting of Council.
This year’s County Council Festivals, Events & Venue fund allocations will support the work of many of the county’s community groups which support our Tourism Sector in the County.
Welcoming the allocations Cllr. John Murphy – Cathaoirleach, Carlow County Council said that it was important that the Council support community led, festivals, events & venues which attract visitors to our County particularly in view of the fact that so much activity is generated by the work of voluntary organisations. Murphy continued to say “Voluntary effort, plays a huge role in the county’s festival scene, providing opportunities for both the business and wider community”.
Speaking about the scheme, Kieran Comerford – Head of Enterprise with the Council’s Local Enterprise Office said “it should be remembered that the festivals sector, in addition to its cultural and social benefits is also important to the local economy and to tourism by helping to form the positive image of County Carlow as a culturally vibrant visitor destination”. Comerford continued to explain “that it is envisaged that 2.2m million worth of spending will be created in the local economy as a result of these 23 projects
Dan McInerney , Deputy Chief Executive said that “the Festivals, Events & Venue programme is just one of an array of financial supports that the Council now has in place to help drive balanced economic, social, cultural and community development”. He continued to say that in 2017 the Council received “applications for funding significantly greater than the funding available therefore the projects were evaluated on a competitive basis” He acknowledged the “significant contribution of the community sector in driving community festivals and events” and committed that the “council would continue to support festivals , events and venues in whatever way possible”.
Name of Event | Festival Type | Approved Amount |
Borris Festival of Writing & Ideas Ltd. | Literary Festival | € 2,000.00 |
Borris New Years Eve Fireworks Display | Festival | € 1,500.00 |
Carlow 5th International Bridge Congress | Bridge Congress | € 3,000.00 |
Carlow Arts Festival | Arts Festival | € 15,000.00 |
Carlow County Fleadh Cheoil 2017 | Music Festival | € 1,000.00 |
Carlow Garden Festival | Garden Festival | € 15,000.00 |
Celtic Taste of Carlow | Food Festival | € 5,000.00 |
Follow me up to Carlow - Set Dancing Weekend | Set Dancing | € 1,500.00 |
Hill Farming Showcase (Blackstairs Farming Group) | Heritage Event | € 1,000.00 |
Pan Celtic International Festival 2017 | Culture Event | € 15,000.00 |
Carlow Arts Festival "The Big Weekender" | Festival | € 2,500.00 |
St Mullins Annual Pattern Festival | Pattern Festival | € 1,000.00 |
Festival of Crafts & Demonstration (Weaver's Cottage) | Craft | € 1,000.00 |
Ballon Eco Festival & BBQ | Eco Festival | € 500.00 |
Tinryland Park Summer Festival | Festival | € 500.00 |
Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Club | Car Display Event | € 750.00 |
Summer Madness Festival - Bagenalstown Festival Ltd. | Festival | € 750.00 |
The Elvis Roots Festival | Festival | € 1,000.00 |
Carlow African Film Festival | Festival | € 1,000.00 |
County Festival & Event Co-ordination - Hillwalking & Big Houses & Gardens Festival | Festival Support | € 10,000.00 |
The following 3 Community Tourism Venues were approved:
Venue | Approved Amount |
County Carlow Military Museum | € 2,500.00 |
Tullow Phelim Historical Society | € 2,500.00 |
Weavers' Cottage Clonegal | € 1,000.00 |
For further information contact: Kieran Comerford 086/8252037 e-mail: kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie
