Tourism boost for Donegal as four major events get funding

Failte Ireland will be contributing funds to four festivals in Donegal to further promote tourism to the county.

The Donegal Rally, the Earagail Arts Festival, the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon and the Sea Sessions in Bundoran will all receive a part of the €1.6m funding pot available for festivals and events throughout Ireland.

Here is the breakdown of funding allocated to Donegal events, where The Mary from Dungloe festival is notably absent from the list:

Donegal Rally  –  €15,000
Sea Sessions  –  €20,000
Earagail Arts Festival  –  €45,000
Rory Gallagher Festival  –  €40,000

Money was awarded to events with international appeal. As well as attracting overseas visitors, such festivals are important in terms of generating employment and community engagement. Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been given €1million under the scheme.

Announcing the funding, Caeman Wall, Head of Research and Evaluation with Fáilte Ireland, emphasised the importance of festivals for Ireland and the tourism sector:

“Large festivals drive tourism activity and are vital to sustaining tourism growth by providing enough compelling reasons for overseas visitors to choose Ireland. Festivals play an important role in guaranteeing that we have a full menu of things for tourists to see and do and provide the backbone to the tourism calendar. Significantly, they also help to bring to life our key brands – Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin, A Breath of fresh Air.”