Over €800,000 in funding to set the stage for summer concerts in Kilkenny
Kilkenny festivals, producers and promoters have received more than €800,000 in funding to plan live performances across the county over the summer months.
The local funding is part of the Government’s Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) 2021.
A total of €810,379 has been allocated for Kilkenny venues and festivals. The funding will support performances where capacity for live audiences is restricted due to the pandemic, or make them available online if audiences cannot attend due to restrictions.
The funding was welcomed by Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan. Deputy Phelan said: “The objective of this funding is to provide significant employment and wellbeing opportunities across the live entertainment sector and support the continued generation of high-quality artistic output for the general public.”
Kilkenny beneficiaries of the funding are:
*Crossroads Recording: €31,260 towards live performance events from Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre;
*Matt the Millers – €42,208 towards traditional music concerts;
*John Cleere’s Bar and Theatre – €131,992 towards a series of live performances from Cleere’s Theatre Kilkenny;
*The Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival – €131,992 towards the comedy festival;
*Set Theatre – €182,021 towards concerts in the Set Theatre Courtyard;
*Schweppe Curtis Nunn Ltd – €290,906 towards The Electric Caravan, a series of one-day micro-festivals at four historic houses, across the four provinces, celebrating with audiences the essence of the Irish summer festival.
Deputy Phelan said there was a high level of interest in the scheme locally, reflecting the resilient, talented and innovative nature of the sector.
The Ferrybank-based TD (pictured below) added: “This funding will assist in the employment of performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff across the sector, bringing much-needed employment to many who have not had work for many, many months. I look forward to the delivery of the full exciting programme of activities over the coming summer and autumn period, which will be enjoyed by so many.”
MAIN PHOTO: Kilkenny Arts Festival
