For the second consecutive year a funding boost of €150,000 has been announced for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke.
“I’ve been working with the Fleadh committee and stakeholders over the last number of years and have witnessed at first-hand the effort and the capital that is needed to support the Fleadh in Mullingar,” Minister Burke stated, explaining that he had secured this funding with the assistance of his successor from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell.
Minister Burke said that the economic benefits that the Fleadh will bring to the Mullingar and wider County Westmeath community are huge but balanced with this is the need for capital in order to run a properly-resourced and accessible festival.
“There is a huge funding requirement much of which is raised through the hard work of the Fleadh committee to run this major cultural event successfully and additional funding like this is critical.
“The price of transport, wastewater and all infrastructure has gone up significantly over the last number of years and this funding will offset some of this increase, as well as allowing the committee add to the suite of services being provided to musicians and the general public.
“I really appreciate, as a volunteer committee, the work and effort they put in over the last number of years to host this incredible event.
“There was a great buzz around the town, the council and the committee had the place looking fantastic last year with a huge thanks to Mullingar Tidy Towns as well. I have offered my office again this year to the committee for the week. The preparations have been made for two years now and I know we are all looking forward for the festivities to begin and if we get a repeat of the good weather, it will be another bonus, roll on August 6,” Minister Burke remarked.
