Wexford County Council today announced it is now inviting applications for funding under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora, a partnership between the council, IPB Insurance, and Fáilte Ireland.
The scheme, now in its third year, provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals. In 2015, it supported 19 local events in County Wexford, attracting up to 2,000 visitors from overseas. The festivals funded last year included the 30th Annual Rosslare Small Boats Festival, the William Marshal Landing Re-enactment, the Home Nations International Shore Angling Competition, Féile Peile na nÓg, and the Mount Saint Charles School Visit.
The council administers the grants locally and determines applications and awards in accordance with agreed national criteria.
Announcing this year’s funding, Cllr Tony Dempsey, An Cathaoirleach, Wexford 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 an infrastructure of events and relationships which will have long term tourism and social benefits for this region for many years to come. I 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.”
Interested parties should contact Wexford County Council’s Tourism Department for an application form.
Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 11 March 2016.