The Irish Times - Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Culture is 'key part of Irish brand'

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MARY FITZGERALD

IRISH CULTURE is one of the State’s most important assets in building “brand Ireland”, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen has said.

Mr Cullen made the remarks in a statement yesterday in which he surveyed how the arts had fared during 2009.

He noted that participants at the Global Irish Economic Forum, held in Farmleigh earlier this year, had acknowledged the importance of culture in promoting Ireland overseas and in developing a unique brand for the country in new markets.

“The global association of Ireland with creativity and imagination has the potential to support the Government’s smart economy strategy; reinforce the branding of Ireland as an ‘Innovation Island’; position the country as a global creative hub and an attractive destination for foreign direct investment with a flexible workforce, and drive the dynamic growth area of cultural tourism,” he added.

Mr Cullen said the celebrations in 2009 of Seamus Heaney’s 70th and Brian Friel’s 80th birthdays, as well as U2’s groundbreaking tour, served as reminders of “Ireland’s position as a world leader” in this domain. Referring to the Government’s allocation of €166 million for the arts, culture and film sectors in 2010, he said: “Even in more stringent times, overall funding for the arts is up 14 per cent on 2005 levels.

“This is real, tangible investment in the real economy.”

Funding to the Arts Council exceeded €73 million in 2009, and the Irish Film Board received almost €22 million.

Culture Ireland, which promotes Irish arts abroad, was allocated more than €4.5 million. It supported “more than 350 tours, events and projects in 50 countries worldwide”, Mr Cullen said.