The internet sensations, whose version of Mark Xxxxx’s 'Maniac 2000' has taken YouTube by storm, will receive a well deserved subvention of €4,000, to support an upcoming US tour. The band have lined up a 17 date stint in the US, with a packed schedule from August 2 to August 17, starting in Aspen Colorado and finishing back in Greeley, Colorado – having taken in places like Milwaukee, San Diego, Ann Arbor and Kansas City along the way.

The biggest beneficiaries of this round of awards in music are The Crash Ensemble, who have been given two separate grants: of €8,000 to play the Haven Festival in Copenhagen (August 11-12) and €7,000 to play the Garda Festival in Lithuania (October 24-26).

Other highlights from this round of funding include a bilingual presentation by Moonfish Theatre of Galway of "Star of the Sea", which will tour in the US to New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Kansas in September 2017.

Twelve Irish traditional bands are also being supported to tour to the major festivals in the US this summer, some of which attract audiences of around 100,000.

Contemporary dance companies will present their work across Europe and Swan Lake / Loch na hEala by Teac Damsa, a highlight of Dublin Theatre Festival in 2016 will tour to the UK, Russia and Australia from May - December 2017.

Speaking about the funding today, Minister Humphreys said: “This support provided through my Department by Culture Ireland enables increasing audience numbers to experience Irish artists, who most capably articulate a sense of Ireland's imaginative and creative strengths globally. It is through the work of our artists that many experience Ireland, appreciate our creative capabilities and are encouraged to engage further with our country.

“Presenting their work overseas provides Irish artists with opportunities to access wider audiences and forge new relationships with international venues and organisations. As the promoter of Irish arts internationally, Culture Ireland plays an invaluable role in developing platforms to present outstanding Irish work to international audiences.”

You can read the full list of beneficiaries here.