€25,000 on the way for festivals and events in Cork – Murphy

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Dara Murphy has welcomed the announcement by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD that €25,000 is set to be invested in festivals and events across Co. Cork. This is part of a major national injection of over €500,000

by Fáilte Ireland in 175 regional festivals and events.

“Tourism is a vital source of employment to people in Cork, helping to support thousands of jobs in the region. Festivals and events have played a huge role in Irish Tourism’s success in 2013, these events need to be cultivated and nourished.  

“Festivals and events attract many people to Cork and entice locals to come out and spend. Further investment in this area is set to provide a major boost; it will contribute to improving the festivals even further and assist in building the tourism sector.

“The arts are to benefit greatly in this investment with welcome funding being allocated to Cape Clear Storytelling Festival, to the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival and the West Cork Literary Festival. Cork is home to many extremely talented people; through the Masters of Tradition and other festivals we can demonstrate exactly what we have to offer. Additional funding in these festivals will allow communities to broaden their appeal at home and abroad.

“The agri-food and tourism industries oftentimes work side by side and in Cork this is very much the case. Festivals like ‘A taste of Cork’ afford us an opportunity to showcase the fantastic food produced here and to attract people into the area to enjoy all that we have to offer.

“Some of these festivals have been running for years and those involved have worked tirelessly to promote the event. This investment by Fáilte Ireland is a welcome expression of confidence in what they have achieved and an endorsement of Cork as a major tourist destination.