Looking ahead to 2021, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon today announced funding of up to €100k for Mayo County Council through the Global Irish Festival Series.
The Global Irish Festival Series is a joint initiative between Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide funding and support, through relevant local authorities, for events that tap into international diaspora networks to help attract overseas visitors.
The festival series is part of the National Tourism Development Authority’s recovery strategy for the tourism industry which will feed into the work of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce recently established by Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin.
Mayo County Council will receive funding to develop events to encourage Ireland’s diaspora to visit Ireland once the COVID-19 public health emergency passes.
Announcing the Global Irish Festival Series funding for Mayo, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, said: "This is a hugely difficult and anxious time for the tourism industry, but it is important that we look ahead.
"The Global Irish Festival Series will enable the local community in Mayo to build on their diaspora networks and deepen connections around the world that will help to generate tourism activity next year"
Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon, added: "In the face of the global challenge posed by COVID-19, it is important for us to re-affirm our sense of solidarity and common identity. The Global Irish Festival Series is an important part of reinforcing the connections between Ireland and our diaspora. We will work with our partners in Fáilte Ireland and the local community in Mayo to strengthen their deep connection with the diaspora."
The Global Irish Festival Series will support Mayo Country Council’s Home to Mayo festival, with up to €100k in funding. The festival will include a month-long programme of events incorporating existing festivals along with cultural events and participatory experiences across towns in the county throughout May 2021.
Welcoming the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Brendan Mulroy said: "I am proud that Mayo County Council will be working with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to drive tourism in our county, whilst also building our new diaspora links in the Middle East and other locations around the globe. The funding secured for this campaign will encourage our diaspora to travel home to Mayo in May 2021, and in these current restricted times, it is fantastic to have a focus like this which will bolster the county in May next year”.
Interim chief executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Duggan, added: "Mayo County Council’s recent successful application with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, allows us to amplify this county as a world player of global connections from a small destination.
"We have a global diaspora network that is second to none on this island. This campaign will welcome the return of our diaspora to Mayo to enjoy a series of interesting and thoughtful events and initiatives that will resonate strongly with them and with all Mayo people at home and abroad. The timing of this announcement is also welcome and timely as Mayo people worldwide celebrated Mayo Day 2020 last month."
The Global Irish Festival Series will take place in 2021 on the Wild Atlantic Way in the new locations of Mayo and Kerry, alongside Limerick and Donegal where the festival series has taken place since it was launched as a pilot initiative in 2018. The Global Irish Festival Series is funded by Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
