ESTABLISHING a new scheme to grant-aid capital projects in the arts will be one of the priorities of Limerick’s Culture Minister, Patrick O’Donovan, in the run-up to next month’s budget.
Ensuring funds for the continuation of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme will be another key priority, Minister O’Donovan said, as he launched the programme for the 2025 Éigse Michael Hartnett festival, taking place annually in the minister’s home town of Newcastle West.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Donovan said he envisaged the grant scheme for capital projects in the arts would be similar to that already in existence for sports capital projects and would help develop arts centres, theatres, and other artistic infrastructure.
“Hopefully, we will be in a position in the New Year to have a scheme that would allow community groups, arts organisations and the like to apply for funding to my department. We will start small and build from there,” he said.
The Fine Gael man also took the view that the late poet Michael Hartnett would have welcomed the Basic Income Scheme for the Arts scheme, which provide selected artists with a weekly grant of €325.
Launching the 2025 Éigse programme, Minister O’Donovan stressed the importance of the arts at a time of grave difficulties in the world.
This year’s festival runs from October 2 to 5 in venues across Newcastle West.
The headline act this year is Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Glen Hansard, performing at the Longcourt House Hotel on October 4.
Munster and Ireland rugby star Keith Earls will talk about his life and career on October 5 with journalist Tommy Conlon, while author Justine McCarthy will give her unique take on world affairs during the Hartnett Memorial Lecture.
Poets Paula Meehan and Theo Dorgan will also take park, as the festival marks 50 years since Hartnett’s iconic Farewell to English at Springfield Castle.
Other highlights will include uilleann piper Louise Mulcahy playing tunes and telling the story of women pipers, laughs from The Six Marys, and more with author Roisin Maguire, poets Dean Browne, Natalya O’Flaherty, Robyn Rowland, and Maire Saaritsa, singer Oonagh McMahon, and food historian Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire.
There will be a Poetry Slam, a Poetry Trail, a screening of the film Blue Road, about Edna O’Brien, a ceramics exhibition, and a number of events for children.
Speaking at the launch, local councillor Michael Collins commended the organising committee, saying: “I know from being involved in various festivals and events over the years, it is always a huge challenge to reinvent yourself annually but huge congratulations must go to the hard-working committee to again produce a jam-packed and interesting series of events for the weekend.”
For the full festival line up or to book tickets, visit eigsemichaelhartnett.ie.
