One of Donegal’s biggest festivals is “existing on a knife-edge” due to surging costs, the Seanad has heard.
The Rory Gallagher Festival is said to be worth €4 million to the local economy and €5 million nationally, however it is one of the many festivals now at risk due to lack of funding.
Senator Manus Boyle says that Donegal cannot afford to lose any more festivals, after the loss of the Taste of Donegal Food Festival, the Sea Sessions in Bundoran and the Donegal Town Festival also this year.
Senator Boyle has called on the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture to address the issue of funding for festivals when he said: “The Rory Gallagher Festival has been a part of Donegal and Ballyshannon for over two decades. The town was Rory Gallagher’s birthplace. Two weeks ago the festival marked the 30th anniversary of his death. It is now existing on a knife-edge due to costs of insurance and everything going sky-high.”
“All local festivals are struggling,” Senator Boyle added.
“They are playing a vital part in rural communities and funding should be made available so our festivals can be kept going.
“These festivals need to get the funding so they are secure and people can plan what is happening. We do not want to lose any more in the rural areas.”
