Music
14 Oct 15

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin welcomes €3 million increase in Culture Ireland funding

He says it will allow the state agency to continue its "excellent work in supporting artists".

Culture Ireland is among the significant winners in this year’s budget. The state agency, which operates out of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and is responsible for supporting Irish artists and arts organisations in their international activities, received an additional €3 million in funding – an increase of 100% on last year’s allocation.
The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for Culture Ireland, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, has welcomed decision, which will see the €3m additional funding being channelled into the 2016 Centenary Programme of Culture Ireland and the Abbey Theatre.
Speaking following the Budget announcement, Minister Ó Ríordáin said: “I am delighted with the funding increase announced by my colleague Minister Brendan Howlin. This increase will see Culture Ireland double its funding on 2015 funding.
“This increase will allow Culture Ireland to continue its excellent work in supporting artists, with the additional funding allowing us to bring a special focus on Irish arts and culture overseas as we commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising. The funding will ensure that Irish arts and culture is brought to an increased global audience in this important year for our country.
"This truly is fantastic news,” the Minister added, "as the Government reiterates its commitment to putting arts and culture at the centre of our 1916 Commemoration Programme, but also in showing that arts and culture as being central to our economic recovery.
"Having recently launched the Culture Ireland 2016 Programme 'I Am Ireland', I am proud that we have today delivered increased funding which will facilitate the delivery of a strong programme of Irish arts and culture overseas in this important year as we commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising.
"Culture Ireland will continue to support Irish arts and culture overseas in order to maintain the global reputation of which we as a country are rightly proud. Today’s funding increase will make sure this happens with strengthened impact."