Event organisers in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown should apply for funding to ensure maximise impact for events and festivals.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the announcement of an additional €2 million in funding for the Gathering 2013 which is being supplied, in equal measure, by the Government and IPB Insurance. These additional funds are being made available due to the huge number of festivals and events that are being planned across the country as a means of attracting the Irish Diaspora to come home to Ireland next year.

“Two million euro in additional funding is being supplied to assist the people of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and beyond in their attempts to organise events and activities at local level as part of The Gathering 2013; the biggest tourism initiative ever planned in Ireland.

“The fund will be administered by local authorities to support activities and I am encouraging anyone in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown who is interested in planning an event, to apply for funding from their local authority. City and County Councils will be administering grants of between €25,000 and €60,000 which will support up to three flagship events in each Council area. Grants of between €500 and €2,500 will also be available for other local and community events.

“The Gathering 2013 is a fantastic opportunity for each locality to demonstrate all they have to offer. It’s a fantastic excuse to bring friend and family home or to encourage those who merely have an interest in Ireland and Irish culture to pay us a visit. It is hoped that the year-long series of festivals and events will bring an additional 325,000 tourists to Ireland next year which have a significant impact on our economy, contributing to our overall economic recovery.

“The Gathering will not only have benefits for tourism in Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown but it should also bring enhanced opportunities for the business community in terms of forging links and relationships for future trade.

“To date, there have been between 6,000 and 7,000 people attending meetings to organise events in every constituency in Ireland. It is estimated that the additional funds announced today will help to support a further 700 events across the country. IPB is to be commended for its generosity in making funds available and I would encourage anyone in Dun Laoghaire who is interested in getting involved with The Gathering to contact their local authority to apply for funding.”