Council spreads funds for local arts groups
FESITVALS, drama groups, music bands and other creative groups across Cork have been allocated over €150,000 as part of Cork County Council's 2012 Arts Grants Scheme.
At Monday's meeting of Cork County Council Ian Mcdonagh, the local authority's Arts Officer, explained to councillors that the scheme had received a total of 149 applications seeking a combined grant funding of €745,460 this year.
Amongst the grants issued was a sum of €1,500 towards the Mallow Racing Home for Easter Festival. The funding drew questions from some councillors who highlighted the €10,000 already given to the event via the council's economic development fund.
The arts grant is towards the festival costs where as other funding has been allocated for marketing purposes, the council heard.
"The festival engages with a lot of community groups in Mallow. It is worthy of support as it is an ambitious project that shows great imagination," Mr Mcdonagh explained.
"This is a showcase for the home of national hunt racing. North Cork is the home of point to point racing. I'm delighted with this show of support for Mallow races and long may it contine," Cllr Frank O'flynn (FF) said.
Amongst the groups who received grants are Rockchapel Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (€800), Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services Mallow (€1,800), Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Freemount (€400), Charleville Writers Group (€300), Irish Wheelchair Association (Gilbert Centre) (€800), Arts Alliance Mallow (€2,000), Millstreet Pipe Band (€800), Kanturk & District Community Council (€1,700), North Cork Drama Festival (€700), Colaiste Treasa Kanturk (€1,500), Racing Home for Easter Festival 2011 (€1,500), Davis College Mallow - Matin Lucey (€1,000), Lightbulb Youth Theatre (€1,000), Laharn Community Action Group (€500), Cullen Pipe Band (€800), Glanworth Players (€1,000 ), Fermoy Concert Band (€800), Newmarket Pipe Band (€400), Munla Creative Artists Group (€800), The Village Arts Centre Kilworth (€5,000), Mallow Art club (€250) and Mitchelstown Musical Society (€500).
- JOE LEOGUE JLEOGUE@CORKMAN.IE
