Almost €2m funding boost for fun festivals

ALMOST €2million has been allocated for major festivals and events taking place across the country this year.

One of the recipients of this year’s cash boost announced by the Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring, is the Audi Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF).

Taking place over a number of days, DIFF presents the highest standard of Irish and international cinema with a programme that includes premieres, screenings, events, discussions, interviews, exhibitions and concerts at a number of locations across Dublin. In recent years guests at the festival have included Al Pacino, Danny DeVito, Russell Crowe and Julie Andrews.

A total of 23 key national festivals and events will be supported by Faille Ireland under its 2016 National Festivals and Events Programme.

This is the first phase of national funding to be announced with a second phase to come later in February.

“Festivals and events are the essence of tourism and are very often what drives visitors to choose to come to Ireland,” Minister Ring explained. “To guarantee that we will have a rich variety of spectacles and experiences throughout the country, and particularly to generate activity off-season, I am pleased to announce that almost €2million will be used to ensure there is plenty for visitors to enjoy in Ireland in 2016.

“This funding will play a significant part in growing tourism over the next 12 months and, additionally, I look forward to being in a position to announce another round of funding for smaller and regional festivals in the near future.”

Another festival to benefit from the funding is the St Patrick’s Festival that has been identified as offering a unique participative experience that appeals to key overseas market targets.

The Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, a celebration of Ireland’s affinity with the horse from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers, will also be supported.

It is one of Ireland’s largest events, a highlight of the summer, and each year welcomes tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.

Other festivals to benefit include Tradfest, a traditional festival of headline concerts, gigs and sessions in Temple Bar and the Bloomsday Festival, which celebrates the day upon which James Joyce’s Ulysses is set, June 16.

Another festival granted funding, the Laya Healthcare City Spectacular, features free events in two cities – Merrion Square, Dublin and Fitzgerald Park, Cork.

Also included is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon, which allows participants to compete in multiple race distances.

As well as attracting visitors, festivals are seen as important in terms of generating employment and community engagement.

The objective of Fáilte Ireland’s 2016 National Festivals Programme is to drive growth from key overseas markets through compelling experiences that are attractive to target audiences and to generate additional overseas visitors across the calendar year.

Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, stressed the importance of festivals for Ireland and the tourism sector.

“While recent tourism performance from overseas markets has been encouraging, we are determined to build on this momentum to drive and sustain economic growth,” he said. “Ensuring that Ireland is offering compelling reasons for overseas visitors to choose Ireland, our festivals offering plays an important role in achieving this and guarantees that we have a full menu of things to see and do for tourists. 

“The festivals we are supporting will provide the backbone to this year’s calendar and will add to our ability to grow overseas visitors and revenue.”