Festival boost

FÁILTE Ireland has announced funding of €3 million for major festivals and events this year.

The allocation will be used to enhance existing festivals, develop new festival ideas and support St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the country.

The Battle of the Bay Festival, which takes place every summer at Dollymount, is among the local festivals to benefit. For 2019 it will receive €7,000.

The St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin will get €950,000.

Local Senator Catherine Noone (FG) welcomed the Battle of the Bay Festival funding.  

“This will boost tourist numbers and should increase the footfall to local businesses in Dublin North East,” she said. 

“The free Kite-Boarding and Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding (SUP) festival has grown from a gathering of 50 friends back in 2006 to one of the biggest watersports festivals in the world.”

Speaking at the announcement, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, said: “With many challenges on the horizon for tourism, the announcement is a welcome start to 2019. Not only do festivals and events play an important role in delivering brilliant visitor experiences, they often encourage people to visit areas outside of traditional tourism hotspots and outside of peak times, helping to spread the benefits of tourism to communities throughout Ireland,” said Minister Griffin.

“I’m delighted to see Fáilte Ireland focusing on St Patrick’s Day across the country – there is massive opportunity there to attract overseas visitors to locations outside Dublin.”

Fáilte Ireland chief executive Paul Kelly said they are very much committed to a greater spread of regional activity as well as supporting a longer tourism year. 

“Festivals – which can take place anywhere and at any time of the year – are very much a part of this focus on greater regionality and seasonality,” said Mr Kelly.

“The festivals funded will anchor tourism activity in their localities which is hugely important for local revenue and local jobs.”

Senator James Reilly (FG) also welcomed the announcement.

“In Fingal we have very successful parades on St Patrick’s Day, especially in Swords, Balbriggan and Skerries,” he said. 

“This funding will be provided by Fáilte Ireland to local festivals which apply to its Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme.  

“The programme is reviewed every year with a view to generating incremental visitor growth and revenue. 

“Festivals and events are critical for tourism growth as they specifically attract more than 200,000 overseas visitors to Ireland and contribute more than €108 million to the economy every year.

 “These festivals really add to the character of the area and are great for generating community spirit.”