Local Events Urged to Apply for Community Tourism Grants

Local Events Urged to Apply for Community Tourism Grants

Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora

Kildare County Council have announced that applications for funding are now being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora. The initiative, launched last year, builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering 2013 and is a joint partnership between Kildare County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.

Now in its second year, the scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year. Last year, 10 local events were supported in Kildare, attracting up to 400 visitors from overseas. The festivals funded last year included:

  • The Cloak
  • Newbridge Family Day in June Festival
  • Kildare Derby Festival
  • Maynooth Past Pupil Union 10K
  • Lullymore International Bog Day
  • Clane St Patrick’s Day Parade
  • McCormacks Clan
  • Curragh Champions Weekend
  • Harvest Fleadh/October Festival
  • Kilcullen River Festival


Administered locally by Kildare County Council, the application process for 2015 is now open and will close on 3rd April. Interested parties are advised to contact Ann Marie Conneely at aconneely@kildarecoco.ie to apply.

Announcing this year’s funding, Mr Peter Carey, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council emphasised:

“We all witnessed the benefits from The Gathering and this scheme gives us an opportunity to build on its legacy. The Community Tourism Initiative allows us to sustain many of the grass roots networks which sprang to life during The Gathering in Co Kildare and sustain an infrastructure of events and relationships which will have long term tourism and social benefits for this region for many years to come.

For that reason, I would urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”

Local authorities throughout the country are now accepting applications in order to determine those local events with the best potential to have the impact and long-term potential to make a difference. The initiative is being administered at local level with the grant applications and awards being decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.

For further information please contact:

Ann Marie Conneely by e-mail at  aconneely@kildarecoco.ie


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