8th December 2014
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork’s festival scene has received a significant boost. The Leeside Capital, which is already known
as the “City of Festivals” with more than 20 significant events spread across the year in Culture, Education, Music and Sport.
Today, €110,000 in Government Grants were confirmed for three major events, including; Cork MidSummer Festival, Cork International Choral Festival, and The West Cork Chamber Music Festival.
Cork North Central TD – who is also Minister for European Affairs & Data Protection – has welcomed the funding, saying that Cork Airport passenger traffic will be boosted by the growing global popularity of these major Cork tourism events.
Dara Murphy TD commented: “Tourism, Sports and Music provide a vital economic stimulus for the Cork and regional economy: Boosting cashflow and securing jobs for hotels, restaurants, Retailers, including artisan food producers. Cork’s wide variety of Festivals have always been popular with UK tourists, and now in my role as Minister for European Affairs I have seen first-hand how other Continental cities of a similar size to Cork have been able to capitalise on major events.
If we want to win more EU visitors, then quiet clearly Cork Airport is our gateway and I will be working closely with Transport Minister , Paschal Donohoe, to help drive growth at Cork Airport.
Cork now has the festivals but we need to improve air connectivity.
“I have no doubt that Cork can become a choice tourist destination for festivals, Concerts and business Conferences, especially now with the re-development of Pairc Ui Chaoimh and the pending decision by City Council on the preferred location for the new Events Centre. There are so many different festivals there is something for everyone.”
