Councillors at this month’s meeting of the Athlone Municipal District lamented the fact that there have been no applications from organisers of local festival for funding this year.
Discussing applications made to the Festival and Events Fund, director of services Barry Kehoe noted that major events such as The River and Food Village, Tri Athlone, and People of the Year Awards have as yet to apply for funding.
Mr Kehoe expressed his disappointment regarding the absence of such applications, saying it is important that Athlone hosts events with the potential to contribute to tourism in the locality. He added that the budget to support such events is available, and suggested that the council make contact with local interested parties to gauge whether they see these events going ahead this year.
Local allocations approved by the council include: €5,000 to AIT towards the International Grand Prix; €500 to Athlone Sub Aqua for Dive Ireland, 2017; €250 to Ballinahown Develop Association for community fun day; €1,000 to Moate Partnership Group for its St Patrick’s Day; €250 to Midlands Astronomy Club; €1,000 towards Lough Ree International Pike Festival and World Cup; €500 to the Goldsmith Literary Festival; €1,000 for Moate Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; €925 for Midlands Amenity Park, Moate; and €3,000 for Athlone Agri Show, Moydrum.
