Festival funding a welcome lift to Sligo Tourism – Comiskey

Fine Gael Senator for Sligo Leitrim, Michael Comiskey, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, that the Government will provide €43, 500 to support festivals in Sligo this year. This follows the announcement that funding of €564,000 has been approved by Fáilte Ireland to support 187 regional festivals and events taking place this year. Today’s news follows earlier announcements of almost €2.3m for 27 large national festivals throughout Ireland in 2015.

“This funding will provide a real boost for the many festivals which are taking place in Sligo this year. These festivals generate significant income for local businesses and bring a large amount of visitors into the county. This funding will help ensure the continued development of these vibrant festivals which add to the many attractions our county offers.

“With an average grant of €3,000 each, a total of 187 local events will be supported around the country. This funding could be the crucial factor in deciding whether many of these festivals go ahead. The Sligo Live Festival is to receive €20,000 in funding. Sligo Live is now its tenth year and always draws a big crowd with established and upcoming headline acts.

Other festivals to benefit from today’s announcement include:

· Sligo Choral Festival
· Tread Softly 2015
· So Sligo Food & Culture Festival
· An Post Tour of Sligo
· Yeats International Summer School

“Festivals attract many visitors, from home and abroad, and they bring revenue and economic activity into the county. This funding represents a serious investment in tourism and will help to boost a sector which already deliver thousands of jobs and significant revenue nationally. These festivals in Sligo and indeed all along the West Coast will boost tourism along the successful trail of the Wild Atlantic Way.

“The Government has prioritised tourism as key to our economic recovery. This funding is building on a number of initiatives being taken by Government to develop our tourism industry. 

“The Government’s decision to reduce the 9% lower rate of VAT on hospitality services to encourage growth in tourism has already proved hugely beneficial for Irish businesses and has helped create more than 30,000 jobs since its introduction in 2012.”

ENDS