Waterford Spraoi to receive €15,000 for 2016 – Coffey

Minister for Housing and TD for Waterford, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, that €15,000 has been allocated for Waterford Spraoi in 2016. This is part of Fáilte Ireland‘s national funding of just over €1.8 million for 23 key national festivals and events.

“Waterford Spraoi is a hugely popular event in Waterford and further afield. This event has grown in recent years and is attracting more and more tourists to the area. Funding of €15,000 will help to grow the festival further and to continue to plan for the future.

“Waterford Spraoi is a free urban festival staged in Ireland’s oldest city over three days. The city showcases a variety of street art and spectacle, featuring hundreds of performers, live music and an array of new street theatre.

“There was a 14% increase in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eleven months of 2015 and the most recent figures show that revenue in the sector has increased by 16% to €4.2 billion. A significant factor in this growth is the festivals and events on offer in all parts of the country.

“The Government has set an ambitious target of attracting 10 million visitors to Ireland and having 250,000 people employed in the tourism sector by 2025. Continued growth of festivals and increasing the offering to tourists will be key in meeting these targets.

“ In 2016 we will continue to promote all of the festivals on offer around the country, including Waterford Spraoi.

“2015 was an extremely strong year for tourism but it is vital that we maintain our competitiveness and keep our focus on keeping the recovery going in the tourism sector.”