Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
426. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason Limerick city received €6 million for the year of culture while the Battle of Clontarf organisers, Clontarf group, received nothing for the upcoming 1,000th anniversary in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/14]
View answerA series of events organised at community, regional and national levels is being rolled out to mark the Millennium Anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Ború.
At national level, the National Museum of Ireland will present a seminal exhibition highlighting the Viking heritage of Ireland during the time of Brian Ború, as well as a series of activities, seminars and related events, for which my Department will be making funds available.
I have been encouraged by the collaboration which has been evident among several local authorities, including Dublin City Council and Fingal, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary County Councils, in making provision for events that will form part of the commemoration of Brian Ború and the Battle of Clontarf. A programme outlining the activities throughout the country is currently being finalised for imminent publication.
With respect for the autonomy of the community support and tourism development agencies, I have encouraged Fáilte Ireland to give particular consideration to events related to the Battle of Clontarf when considering applications for festivals and events funding. I welcome the commitment of organisations such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to arrange that their existing resources can be targeted towards events relating to this significant anniversary. Comhaltas has produced an original suite of music to mark this anniversary that is set to be premiered in Clontarf and performed around the country during the commemorations.
Confident that this heritage and the commemorative events will be of interest to visitors, I continue to encourage the co-ordination of organisations in Waterford, Killaloe and Ballina in emphasising their Viking heritage and links to Brian Ború, as well as with Armagh Borough Council, Dublin City Council and groups from Clontarf, to maximise the potential benefit to these areas from increased tourism.
Within the limits of the resources available to me, I will be reviewing what other aspects of the millennium celebrations might be supported which would have a national impact, to complement the support provided by other Departments, agencies and local authorities, as well as the significant voluntary and community commemorative initiatives. I believe that, in aggregate, a significant public funding investment of up to €500, 000 is being made to mark this millennium.
Of course, in addition to the Millennial anniversary of Clontarf, I will also be making arrangements for commemorations in 2014 relating to the centenary of the founding of Cumann na mBan, the Curragh Mutiny, the import of arms by the Volunteer movements and, of course, the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
With regard to Limerick City of Culture 2014, the Deputy will be aware that the Government agreed with my proposal that Limerick City should be designated, given that it is undergoing a process of profound change at present and 2014 is an important year for the city, as it will be the year in which a new single local authority will be established. The Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group (LRIG) is preparing for this change and I believe that the designation of Limerick as a City of Culture for 2014 will help to shape, brand and promote a new Limerick city.
I believe that Limerick’s designation as City of Culture for 2014 will deliver a programme of cultural events and engagement in arts and culture by the citizens of Limerick and beyond. In bringing artists, arts organisations, local authorities and civic groups in the city and county together in a calendar of events which will showcase all that the city has to offer, I am confident that the initiative will generate a legacy, both locally and nationally.
