Sixteen festivals to share almost €2 million in Fáilte Ireland funding

Public funding of almost €2 million has been allocated for major festivals next year, including €1 million for the St Patrick's Festival in Dublin. Fáilte Ireland is providing the money for 16 key projects under its national festivals and events programme.

Galway Arts Festival (€200,000), Dublin Horse Show (€150,000) and Wexford Festival Opera (€100,000) are among the recipients. Kilkenny Arts Festival (€70,000), the Rory Gallagher Festival (€40,000) and the Bike Fest (€30,000) are also receiving support.

Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn said festivals were the "backbone to the tourism calendar".

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring said he was hopeful that 2015 could be a record year for overseas visitors. "Ensuring that we will have a rich variety of spectacle and experiences throughout the country and all year round next year, the funding announced today will provide a key component of our work in 2015," he said.

Further funding for smaller festivals will be announced in the coming months.