Áras an Mhuilinn backing Fleadh Cheoil 2022

At the Seisiún night in Áras an Mhuilinn on Wednesday last, February 23, a cheque for €5000 was handed over to the chairman of the Fleadh Cheoil Executive Committee, Joe Connaire, by the cathaoirleach of Áras an Mhuilinn, Camillus Glynn, along with board members of Áras an Mhuilinn, Martin Coyle, left, and the cisteoir of Áras an Mhuilinn, Tomás Kiernan, right.

Comhaltas get funds to make facilities green

Two local branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have been allocated grants to make to upgrade their facilities to make them greener.

The Comhaltas branch based in Áras an Mhuilinn in Mullingar has been allocated €12,377, while the branch based in Dún na Sí in Moate is to receive €33,210, from the latest tranche of funding from the government’s Cultural Capital Scheme.

It is part of an overall €4.7m capital investment scheme in artistic and cultural institutions around the country. The funding is being made available under the National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media says that the scheme “prioritises projects that reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint and make a real and positive impact on the environment. Projects that provide additional capacity for artists and artistic production, particularly in arts centres, are also be favoured”.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin says that the funding will enable organisations to upgrade their facilities and reduce their carbon footprint.

“I am delighted to be in a position to award this funding to these organisations for the necessary upgrading of their facilities. This capital scheme prioritises projects that reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint.

"This is in line with the government’s action on climate change, and it is encouraging to know that the funding for some of these projects will make a real and positive impact on the environment.

"Projects that provide additional capacity for artists and artistic production, particularly in arts centres, were also favoured. This investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries, museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces, aims to improve the audience and creative experience.

“This overall funding package will ensure past investment in these arts and cultural centres is protected and sustained.

"The funding announcement is in addition to my earlier allocations of funding under this scheme in December 2020, and August 2021, together with funding to visual artist workspaces and Stream D funding which is specifically for capital adaptations or equipment necessary to assist arts organisations in re-opening safely after Covid-19. While some of the allocations are modest, they will make a huge difference to some smaller organisations.”