Arts Minister Catherine Martin has revealed details of a €4million fund to bring DJs, musicians, comedians and other artists to nighttime gigs all over the country.
And the minister said she is especially focused on small towns and villages in rural Ireland.
The cash bonanza is part of the minister’s plan to revitalise the nighttime economy and after launching similar successful events in towns and cities earlier this year, she is now turning her attention to rural Ireland and the smaller towns and villages dotted across the country.
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There have been over 2000 events in every county approved for funding.
They include live music, ranging from traditional music to electronic music, DJ nights, theatre, comedy, dance, literature, art and photographic exhibitions.
Venues in rural towns and villages were specifically supported and funding was awarded
to 252 venues outside of our cities.
Ms Martin said: “A vibrant, diverse and inclusive night-time economy is important for our towns and cities, it boosts the local economy, makes our towns and cities more attractive places to visit and to live in.
“There has been a great reaction from the night-time sector to this pilot scheme.
“It is also extremely important that we ensure that there is a balance between alcohol and alcohol free activities to ensure that a wider demographic can engage with the Night-Time Economy and it was also really encouraging to see the response from this sector.”
“I recently announced that I secured €6 million as part of Budget 2023 to assist the night-time economy sector. I am currently considering the development of further initiatives and we will continue to work with key stakeholders in the Night-Time Economy to examine other opportunities to open up existing venues to more Night-Time Economy activity.”
A spokesman for the Minister added: “The Scheme included a specific strand of funding for unlicensed premises such as cafés, dry bars and other suitable venues to support diversification and inclusivity in our Night-Time Economy.
“Cafés and unlicensed premises have been awarded over €434,000 in funding.”
A total of 433 organisations have been offered funding from the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme.
Applications were received from a wide range of venues including pubs, nightclubs, cafés, theatres, arts centres, galleries, museums and retail outlets.
Successful pilot events included Birr Theatre and Arts Centre’s “Women In Comedy,” a series of comedy evenings on Thursdays in September, and the Kerry Writers’ Museum’s ten week programme of performances by some of Kerry’s leading artists, called “The Rambling Sessions.”
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