Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has welcomed funding for festivals across Waterford City and County under the Council’s 2021 funding scheme. McGuinness proposed the allocations at the December meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
McGuinness said:
“I was glad to secure the unanimous support of the full Council for my proposal to allocate some €1.26 million of public funding to festivals across Waterford City and County, and a former €255,000 for Waterford arts projects.
“I am particularly pleased to propose significant funding for festivals and arts projects in West Waterford including Dungarvan’s TuneFest and Celtic Box Cup, the Towers and Tales festival in Lismore, and the West Waterford Festival of Food.
“Irish language events such as Daonscoil na Mumhan and Tionól Niocláis Tóibín have also received increased funding.
“Its important that Council funding for arts festivals is not limited to larger urban areas and its great to see support for events in Ballyduff, Tallow, Knockanore, An Rinn and An Sean Phobal.
“My proposal today also sees major funding allocated to events that care to the whole city and county including the Harvest Festival, Comeragh Wilds Festival, Spraoi, Winterval 2021 and Waterford Walls.
“The arts and festivals sector was amongst the first to shut down back in March. The ensuing loss of income and economic activity has been felt across the country, not to mention the impact on the creative and social lives of our communities.
“Creative and social outlets will be more important than ever in 2021 as we seek to bring energy and enjoyment back to our communities, and as we rebuild our economy in the wake of 2020. This €1.26 million cash injection will be felt throughout city and county and I am delighted to propose its adoption to Council.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 