Festival organisers in Laois receive grants close to €90,000
A battle reenactment during last year's Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise
FESTIVAL organisers received a welcome grant aid to hold their events.
The people of Laois have always been rightly proud of their rich heritage and history which has been recognised by the Laois Partnership Company that recently granted aided 10 festival organisers close on €90,000.
Last year Laois Partnership sought expressions of interest from community groups towards festivals and events taking place from May this year and received a tremendous response from various organisations.
The successful applicants received a total of €88,967.65 that will go on festival costs, including the hire/purchase of equipment and marketing.
The groups that received funding were Timahoe Heritage Festival. Buds and Blooms Laois Garden Festival, Spink. The Old Fort Quarter Festival, Portlaoise. The Folly Festival, Cullahill. Feile na Coille, Ballinakill. Twin Trees Art, Heritage and Culture Festival, Heywood. Ossory Agricultural Show. Abbeyleix Celebrates and Castletown Community Centre Fun Weekend.
Rural Development Programmes Manager with Laois Partnership Brian Kelly said: “These community festivals deliver a range of economic, social and cultural benefits. In addition to stimulating economic activity and enhancing tourism, the festivals provide entertainment and celebrate our communities, showcase our villages and towns and are a strong expression of identity and place. Each festival has its own theme and focus, ranging from the arts and live music, to farming, heritage and community recreation.”
For more information on the LEADER programme that is run through Laois Partnership phone 05786 61900, email info@laoispartnership.ie or log onto www.laoispartnership.ie
