€180,000 government funding for Fleadh Cheoil

Photo - Joe Connaire, chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee.

Peter Burke TD has confirmed that LEADER funding of €180,032 will be provided by the government to support Fleadh 2020 and Westmeath Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

“A LEADER Contribution of €180,032 has been made to support Westmeath Comhaltas to run Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 on August 2-9,” said Deputy Burke.

The Mullingar TD said that elements to be covered by the grant include event management, marketing, signage, hiring of barriers, floodlights, portable toilets, sound equipment and stage hire.

“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the largest cultural event in Ireland and it has no equal in relation to size and scale, showcasing top class Irish music and culture to both a domestic and international audience.

“Our successful local organisation has ensured that this year the event will return to Mullingar, the birthplace of the fleadh, and we are proud and excited to host the event.

“No event of a similar scale has ever before taken place in Mullingar and significant numbers of volunteers have come forward to support the organising committee to deliver Fleadh Cheoil 2020 to the highest standard possible.

“An estimated 500,000 visitors are expected to attend the fleadh in 2020, and it is projected that 30% of those are from overseas, contributing significantly to our local economy.

Deputy Burke, who is the Fine Gael whip, concluded: “I wish to thank the organising committee for putting in such a comprehensive LEADER application and Minister Michael Ring, who has been receptive to representations about the fleadh from my colleagues and I.

“The people and businesses of Mullingar are stepping up to the challenge of hosting the fleadh and I am glad to see the government matching this effort with comprehensive government support to shoulder some of the costs of the event.

“Minister Ring has now announced over €111 million in funding for 2,903 LEADER projects in rural communities.

“We must ensure that the event itself is promoted effectively which will also serve to highlight Mullingar as an outstanding cultural tourism destination and create a legacy that will have a long-term impact for the local tourism economy.”