This article is from page 18 of the 2013-08-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
SEVEN summer festivals in Clare are receiving € 81,500 in Arts Council funding this year, with the Willie Clancy Summer School Festival receiving the majority of the funding.
The Miltown Malbay festival, which took place from July 6 to July 14, was awarded € 60,000 as part of 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 Summer Music on the Shannon, which is currently taking place at different venues throughout the county received € 6,000, while the Feakle International Traditional Music festival which is to begin tomorrow (Wednesday) was awarded € 5,500.
The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Festival Weekend which will take place in early September and last months Ennis Street Festival received € 3,000 each, while the Music in the Glen and the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend, both to take place in October received € 2,000 each.
The funding was made available to these festivals under yearly grants, with a number also receiving fund ing through the Arts Council’s festivals and events scheme.
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 be- come 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.”
“Despite funding for the arts being cut by 30 per cent 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,” she added.