Minister Martin announces funding for Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools
- Published on: 21 June 2021
- Last updated on: 11 April 2025
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. has today announced a funding allocation of €96,391 for 28 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2021.
The scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Closing date for applications was the 23rd April 2021. Funding was allocated following a competitive applications process, with a maximum grant of €5,000 available.
Projects to be funded this year are a mix of online initiatives and 'in real life' events to be delivered to an audience in line with general public health guidance. The intention is to add to the cultural content assisted by the Department and create a cultural space relevant to both local interest and a wider community.
This list of successful applicants is below.
Speaking today, Minister Martin said:
“I am very pleased to support the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools scheme this year, with a mix of face to face and online events. Culture and arts add hugely to our lives and to our community.
These events will provide much needed cultural experiences for both audiences and practitioners. The organisations funded under this scheme have shown great resilience and adaptability in the planning of their projects.”
Notes
| Applicant | Project Description | County | Amount of proposed funding | |
| Ballintogher Traditional Music Festival | Traditional music events to include concerts, céilithe, workshops in music, singing and dancing, artistic and cultural activities involving local primary schools. | Sligo | €2,666 | |
| Seosamh McGabhann | Virtual Summer School | Mayo | €5,000 | |
| Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter | A festival to include the arts, literature, drama, music, storytelling and poetry with a theme based on the works of Brendan Behan. | Donegal | €4,000 | |
| Waterford Film Festival | 15th Waterford Film Festival - Virtual Events and Arts Competitions. | Waterford | €2,600 | |
| Donegal Summer School of Music | Donegal Summer School of Music 2021: Connecting virtually. | Donegal | €4,000 | |
| Shakefest 2021 | A Micro Festival Celebration of Cultural Diversity in Dance, Art, Drama and Music. | Offaly | €1,000 | |
| Allingham Arts Association | The festival follows the traditional arts festival format with a wide variety of guests and events. | Donegal | €4,000 | |
| Cork City Libraries | The Best of Ballyphehane: Culturally and artistically will showcase the culture and art of the community including a broad spectrum of music, storytelling, history and arts and crafts. | Cork | €1,100 | |
| Cork Craft and Design | Cork Craft & Design (CCD) is a social enterprise supporting and promoting professional craft makers working in a variety of disciplines all living and working in Cork city and county. | Cork | €3,500 | |
| Kerry Writers' Museum | Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2021 | Kerry | €5,000 | |
| Geata Arts Group | Clonakilty Samhain Festival 2021 | Cork | €3,500 | |
| Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre | Athenry Music. Arts. Dance (M.A.D) Festival 2021 | Galway | €4,000 | |
| Custom House Studios | Sculpture at Westport Quay, an outdoor festival exhibition of contemporary sculpture. | Mayo | €2,500 | |
| The Hunt Museum | Three Muses Sand Sculpture Festival and Summer School | Limerick | €4,000 | |
| Bofield CCÉ | Summer School celebrating 25 years of North Mayo Traditional Music and Song | Mayo | €4,000 | |
| CreativeSpark CLG | SEEK Urban Arts Festival is an arts, heritage and culture festival aimed at attracting some of the world’s best outdoor muralists and urban artists to Dundalk, to help promote the town’s heritage, culturally and artistically, refocussing the area as a vibrant hub for creativity. | Louth | €3,500 | |
| Drimoleague Singing Festival | A series of concerts showcasing the best of singing voices from Ireland and abroad | Cork | €4,000 | |
| Yeats Society Sligo | Yeats 62nd International Summer School | Sligo | €5,000 | |
| Cobh Summer Swing | Providing free music, children's entertainment, food, beverage and a selection of stalls from local traders | Cork | €700 | |
| Durras and District Community Council | ‘Love Durrus’ Festival – A Public Celebration of Community and A Reawakening through our Musical and Cultural Heritage. | Cork | €4,000 | |
| Athy Heritage CLG | Virtual Shackleton 2021 - pre-recorded material, live webcasts and virtual workshops | Kildare | €4,000 | |
| Spilt Milk Festival | A three day festival of music, film and art | Sligo | €5,000 | |
| Galway Fringe Festival | An annual multi-disciplinary arts festival that uses the city as its backdrop and inspiration | Galway | €3,500 | |
| The Irish Heritage Military Foundation | The Speaker William Conolly Summer School 2021 – exploring Irish diversity, identity and reconciliation | Kildare | €3,500 | |
| Waterford Film Centre | Space Oddities: Comedy & Sci-Fi Film Festival | Waterford | €4,000 | |
| Teach Solais Community Development | ÓMÓS - Art and Film Festival | Cavan | €2,450 | |
| Ballina Fringe Festival | An annual arts festival including an outdoor circus show, a drive in film screening and online creative workshops | Mayo | €5,000 | |
| Lifford/Cloneigh Community Collective | Brightening Up Lifford 2021 - music festival | Donegal | €875 | |
| Total | €96,391 |