Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister Martin Heydon has welcomed confirmation of funding of €7,500 to local events in Athy and Kildare this summer under the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer School.
“As Chairman of the Friends of Athy Heritage Centre & Museum, I am delighted to see funding of €4,000 has been allocated to Athy Heritage Centre for a Virtual Shackleton 2021 initiative to include pre-recorded material, live webcasts and virtual workshops. In addition €3,500 is awarded to The Irish Heritage Military Foundation for a William Connolly Summer School 2021, exploring Irish diversity, identity and reconciliation.”
“This is very welcome for these local Kildare initiatives and will be a boost for the organisations and their supporters. The scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for largescale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
“This year projects that were funded are a mix of online initiative and in person events to be delivered to an audience in line with general public health guidance. The intention is to create a cultural space relevant to both local interest and wider community.”
“These events will provide much needed cultural experiences for both audiences and practitioners. The organisations funded under this scheme have shown great resilience and versatility in the planning of their projects and I wish them continue success,” concluded Minister Heydon.