93 Clare groups and organisations hosting Gathering events during 2013 have been successful in their applications for funding.
The gatherings, divided into key county flagship events and community gatherings are being funded under the IPB Gathering Ireland Fund. Nationally, €2m is being provided by IPB Insurance and The Gathering Ireland 2013.
Clare County Council, which is administering the €55,000 local fund, is providing additional funding of €5,200 to support local events and gatherings that are being held as the largest tourism initiative ever held in Ireland. Approximately 230 events are expected to take place throughout County Clare during the year.
According to Clare Gathering chairperson Gerard Dollard stated: "The key objective of the funding is to provide financial support to local and community Gathering event organisers and activities which will attract overseas visitors to Clare during 2013. We were very pleased at the huge response received to the request for funding applications during November and December, and are delighted that so many local Gathering events have received funding.”
Mr. Dollard praised community groups, clubs, organisations and individuals across Clare for their contribution to “developing one of the country’s most diverse and exciting calendar of events for The Gathering.”
“The Gathering Ireland 2013 is Ireland’s biggest ever tourism initiative, providing an opportunity for those with ancestral links or an affinity to Ireland to play a part in and benefit from our economic recovery. The people of Clare are certainly playing their part and I wish to congratulate those who have given selflessly of their time and energy to organising events in their respective communities. Clare County Council has recognised this contribution by providing an additional 5,200 euro to the 55,000 euro already allocated through the IPB Gathering Fund for Clare gatherings and events,” he explained.
Ronan Foley, Chief Executive of IPB Insurance, said, “The large number of applications received by City and County Councils is testament to the public support and endorsement for The Gathering. IPB Insurance are proud partners of this fantastic initiative that reaches out and supports community and flagship events right across the country and hopefully will serve to lift the mood of the nation. These events will, I believe, reap long term economic and social benefits for Ireland. In particular, I would encourage Corporate Ireland to adopt a leadership role in getting behind our country, our economy and our communities through this fantastic initiative.”
Gathering Ireland Project Director, Jim Miley added: “As of today there are a total of 2,600 Gatherings registered on the website. This really does demonstrate how much people have embraced the Gathering. The support from IPB Insurance has enabled us to provide funding for smaller and medium scale Gathering events that might not otherwise have happened or that will help event organisers attract additional overseas visitors.”
The 93 Clare events in receipt of funding are:
€15,000 - Ennis Roots Weekend
€5,000 - The Burren Tolkien Symposium in Lisdoonvarna and
The Therapeutic Effects of Irish Set Dancing in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle
€900 - The Concertina Cruinniú in Miltown Malbay and the Fleadh Nua 2013 in Ennis
€800 - Ennis Phoenix Week, Gathering the Scattering Genealogy Conference in Ennis, and Rás na mBan (Women's Cycle Race) in Ennis, and the Ennis Trad Festival Gathering 2013.
€500 - Fringe Festival in Ennis, Bodyke Summer Gathering, The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival Gathering 2013, Tulla Week of Welcomes, Guinness Book of Records Attempt for the largest outdoor Gathering of Traditional Musicians (Kilfenora), 175 Anniversary Doora Parish Gathering, Six Nations over 40's Tournament in Scarriff, Fenians March to Kilrush, Doonbeg Gathering 13, Celebrate Scattery Island (Kilrush), "Flowers of the Burren" Clare Embroidery in Barefield, Come Back To Miltown, Flower-Power (Ballyvaughan celebrates Dr. O Kelly), Wavemaster Surf and Music in Spanish Point, Russell Memorial Weekend in Doolin, OAIM Irish Music Retreats/Gatherings in Liscannor, Clarecastle Festival of Fun, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival, Michael Cusack's 25 Year Celebration in Carron, A Night of Mediaeval Entertainment in Dysart O'Dea, The Boghill Centre's Traditional Irish Music Gathering (Kilfenora), Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla, Village Carnival Gathering in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Killaloe and Ballina Gathering 2013, Bunratty International Chess Festival, Dan Furey Weekend in Labasheeda, The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Festival in Moyasta, The Festival of Finn in Corofin, Kilmihil Festival of Fun, Tuamgraney 2013- The Gathering, Milesian Gathering 2013 in Cooraclare, Welcoming Clare/Claire to Clare in Ennis, Father Ted Festival in Kilfenora, Meitheal Weekend in Kilmaley, Rededication of Kilrush Churchyard, CSSL Pre Kennedy Cup Preparation Weekend in Ennis, Kilfenora Gathering Traditional Music Festival 2013, Tulla Trad Festival
€300 - Welcoming Families Home in Doolin, Past Pupil Reunion at Ennis N.S., Corofin Myths and Legends, Tigh na Coille Yrvader in Ennis, Sporting Heroes in Scarriff, Carrigaholt Dolphins and Nature Festival, Drumdigus School Reunion, Drumbaniff School Reunion, Crawford Clan Relations in Spanish Point, Clancy Reunion in Kilkee, 20 Bliain Ag Fás in Doolin, Kerin Gathering in Ennis, Global Sports Gathering in Doora, O'Meara/Dowling Family Gathering in Spanish Point, Burren Slow Food Festival in Lisdoonvarna, Women's International Team Challenge in Lahinch, Brutal O'Briens at Mooghaun, Boston Meets Boston, Doolin Folk Festival, and the Doolin Irish Craft Beer Festival.
€200 - Golf Classic On The Shannon, Junior Tour European Championships, Ennis Golf Club, Churchill Arms to Clare, Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk, Lahinch Retro Jamboree, Killimer Knockerra Gathering, 50 Year Celebration of Kilkee and Lisdeen Churches, Fleadh Nua, Tom Carey Commemorative Weekend, Summer Music on the Shannon (SMS), The Kilfenora Timeline, Loop Head Walking Festival, McGrath Clan Origins at Island McGrath, Clare Garden Festival Food Harvest Festival, Kildysart Agricultural Show, European Project Development/Gathering of European Educators, Doolin Writers Weekend, Kijo Daiko On Tour, Céilí at the Crossroads Festival, Che Do Bheatha, Spanish Point Fly In, The Meeting of the Murphys, Beyond Yoga Dance and Arts in Focus.
The Gathering Clare 2013 will be officially launched at the Gathering Clare Festivals & Events Expo in Glór, Ennis, on Sunday 27 January from 2 pm to 6pm. Members of the public are being invited to attend the free event which will feature exhibits of 100 of the estimated 250 Gathering festivals and events taking place throughout County Clare during 2013. ‘The Gathering Clare 2013 Festivals and Events Guide also will be available on the day. Admission is free. For more on The Gathering Clare 2013 and the upcoming Expo visit www.clare.ie, www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
The gatherings, divided into key county flagship events and community gatherings are being funded under the IPB Gathering Ireland Fund. Nationally, €2m is being provided by IPB Insurance and The Gathering Ireland 2013.
Clare County Council, which is administering the €55,000 local fund, is providing additional funding of €5,200 to support local events and gatherings that are being held as the largest tourism initiative ever held in Ireland. Approximately 230 events are expected to take place throughout County Clare during the year.
According to Clare Gathering chairperson Gerard Dollard stated: "The key objective of the funding is to provide financial support to local and community Gathering event organisers and activities which will attract overseas visitors to Clare during 2013. We were very pleased at the huge response received to the request for funding applications during November and December, and are delighted that so many local Gathering events have received funding.”
Mr. Dollard praised community groups, clubs, organisations and individuals across Clare for their contribution to “developing one of the country’s most diverse and exciting calendar of events for The Gathering.”
“The Gathering Ireland 2013 is Ireland’s biggest ever tourism initiative, providing an opportunity for those with ancestral links or an affinity to Ireland to play a part in and benefit from our economic recovery. The people of Clare are certainly playing their part and I wish to congratulate those who have given selflessly of their time and energy to organising events in their respective communities. Clare County Council has recognised this contribution by providing an additional 5,200 euro to the 55,000 euro already allocated through the IPB Gathering Fund for Clare gatherings and events,” he explained.
Ronan Foley, Chief Executive of IPB Insurance, said, “The large number of applications received by City and County Councils is testament to the public support and endorsement for The Gathering. IPB Insurance are proud partners of this fantastic initiative that reaches out and supports community and flagship events right across the country and hopefully will serve to lift the mood of the nation. These events will, I believe, reap long term economic and social benefits for Ireland. In particular, I would encourage Corporate Ireland to adopt a leadership role in getting behind our country, our economy and our communities through this fantastic initiative.”
Gathering Ireland Project Director, Jim Miley added: “As of today there are a total of 2,600 Gatherings registered on the website. This really does demonstrate how much people have embraced the Gathering. The support from IPB Insurance has enabled us to provide funding for smaller and medium scale Gathering events that might not otherwise have happened or that will help event organisers attract additional overseas visitors.”
The 93 Clare events in receipt of funding are:
€15,000 - Ennis Roots Weekend
€5,000 - The Burren Tolkien Symposium in Lisdoonvarna and
The Therapeutic Effects of Irish Set Dancing in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle
€900 - The Concertina Cruinniú in Miltown Malbay and the Fleadh Nua 2013 in Ennis
€800 - Ennis Phoenix Week, Gathering the Scattering Genealogy Conference in Ennis, and Rás na mBan (Women's Cycle Race) in Ennis, and the Ennis Trad Festival Gathering 2013.
€500 - Fringe Festival in Ennis, Bodyke Summer Gathering, The Doonbeg International Jazz Festival Gathering 2013, Tulla Week of Welcomes, Guinness Book of Records Attempt for the largest outdoor Gathering of Traditional Musicians (Kilfenora), 175 Anniversary Doora Parish Gathering, Six Nations over 40's Tournament in Scarriff, Fenians March to Kilrush, Doonbeg Gathering 13, Celebrate Scattery Island (Kilrush), "Flowers of the Burren" Clare Embroidery in Barefield, Come Back To Miltown, Flower-Power (Ballyvaughan celebrates Dr. O Kelly), Wavemaster Surf and Music in Spanish Point, Russell Memorial Weekend in Doolin, OAIM Irish Music Retreats/Gatherings in Liscannor, Clarecastle Festival of Fun, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival, Michael Cusack's 25 Year Celebration in Carron, A Night of Mediaeval Entertainment in Dysart O'Dea, The Boghill Centre's Traditional Irish Music Gathering (Kilfenora), Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla, Village Carnival Gathering in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Killaloe and Ballina Gathering 2013, Bunratty International Chess Festival, Dan Furey Weekend in Labasheeda, The Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Festival in Moyasta, The Festival of Finn in Corofin, Kilmihil Festival of Fun, Tuamgraney 2013- The Gathering, Milesian Gathering 2013 in Cooraclare, Welcoming Clare/Claire to Clare in Ennis, Father Ted Festival in Kilfenora, Meitheal Weekend in Kilmaley, Rededication of Kilrush Churchyard, CSSL Pre Kennedy Cup Preparation Weekend in Ennis, Kilfenora Gathering Traditional Music Festival 2013, Tulla Trad Festival
€300 - Welcoming Families Home in Doolin, Past Pupil Reunion at Ennis N.S., Corofin Myths and Legends, Tigh na Coille Yrvader in Ennis, Sporting Heroes in Scarriff, Carrigaholt Dolphins and Nature Festival, Drumdigus School Reunion, Drumbaniff School Reunion, Crawford Clan Relations in Spanish Point, Clancy Reunion in Kilkee, 20 Bliain Ag Fás in Doolin, Kerin Gathering in Ennis, Global Sports Gathering in Doora, O'Meara/Dowling Family Gathering in Spanish Point, Burren Slow Food Festival in Lisdoonvarna, Women's International Team Challenge in Lahinch, Brutal O'Briens at Mooghaun, Boston Meets Boston, Doolin Folk Festival, and the Doolin Irish Craft Beer Festival.
€200 - Golf Classic On The Shannon, Junior Tour European Championships, Ennis Golf Club, Churchill Arms to Clare, Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk, Lahinch Retro Jamboree, Killimer Knockerra Gathering, 50 Year Celebration of Kilkee and Lisdeen Churches, Fleadh Nua, Tom Carey Commemorative Weekend, Summer Music on the Shannon (SMS), The Kilfenora Timeline, Loop Head Walking Festival, McGrath Clan Origins at Island McGrath, Clare Garden Festival Food Harvest Festival, Kildysart Agricultural Show, European Project Development/Gathering of European Educators, Doolin Writers Weekend, Kijo Daiko On Tour, Céilí at the Crossroads Festival, Che Do Bheatha, Spanish Point Fly In, The Meeting of the Murphys, Beyond Yoga Dance and Arts in Focus.
The Gathering Clare 2013 will be officially launched at the Gathering Clare Festivals & Events Expo in Glór, Ennis, on Sunday 27 January from 2 pm to 6pm. Members of the public are being invited to attend the free event which will feature exhibits of 100 of the estimated 250 Gathering festivals and events taking place throughout County Clare during 2013. ‘The Gathering Clare 2013 Festivals and Events Guide also will be available on the day. Admission is free. For more on The Gathering Clare 2013 and the upcoming Expo visit www.clare.ie, www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
