Minister of State O’Donovan represents the Government at the 2017 International Famine Commemoration, Ireland Park, Toronto
The International Famine Commemoration for 2017 takes place in Ireland Park Toronto on Tuesday 24th October. Ireland Park, which marked its tenth anniversary earlier this year, was the first overseas commemorative event to be organised by the National Famine Commemoration Committee in honour and memory of those who emigrated and took to the seas during An Gorta Mór.
Speaking today Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan T.D., who represented the Government on behalf of the Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys T.D., said:
“It is especially fitting that in the 170th anniversary of the worst year of the Famine, ‘Black 47’, we return again to Ireland Park in Toronto to remember those who suffered and died during that terrible time and in particular the over 110,000 souls who undertook the perilous the voyage to Canada from Ireland that year.”
“The Irish people will never forget this horrific time in our history, nor will we forget the generous welcome given by the people of this city and country, particularly the hand of friendship and assistance offered by the people of Toronto to those distraught and desolate masses that came to these shores.”
While in Toronto Minister O’Donovan will also visit the site of the new George Robert Grasset Park and will meet with members of the Hill 70 memorial Project which is being supported by the Irish Government. The Minister will also meet with Irish community groups and Canadian Government representatives.
This is the third International Famine Commemoration to be held in Canada. Toronto also hosted the first commemoration in 2009. Since then commemorations have been held in the USA (4), England (1) and Australia (1).
Ireland park was officially opened in June 2007, with a ceremony attended by President Mary McAleese.
Two Irishmen, Robert Hill Hanna from Co. Down and Michael James O’Rourke from Co. Limerick, were among the six recipients of the Victoria Cross following the fighting at the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917.
Ends.
24/10/17Minister Humphreys announces over €1m additional capital funding to cultural bodies in 2017
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Tuesday) announced additional capital funding in 2017 for cultural bodies totalling over €1 million. This ties in with Pillar 3 of the Creative Ireland programme on investing in our creative and cultural infrastructure.
Collectively, these additional funds will help to preserve and safeguard the collections held by the recipients, and assist in the further improvement of the services offered to visitors.
Funded projects include the upgrade of fire, and environmental control, IT upgrades and upgrades to exhibitions.
The specific grants awarded are:
- Archbishop Marsh’s Library – €60,000 for a state-of-the-art fire suppression system to ensure continued protection of the collection;
- National Museum of Ireland – €270,000 for works including the acquisition of exhibition cases;
- National Gallery of Ireland – €365,000 towards general upgrades and the renewal of office equipment;
- National Concert Hall – almost €200,000 for works including a wayfinding system and IT upgrades;
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art – €132,000 for IT upgrades;
- The Hunt Museum, Limerick – €30,000 for an environmental control system.
Speaking today, Heather Humphreys, TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said
“I am pleased to be in a position to provide further funding to a number of our cultural bodies for 2017. This funding is provided to protect the collections they hold, provide a safe environment, up to date services and improved display for visitors. It will also assist with the modernisation of these bodies to offer a service worthy of Ireland’s cultural offering.”
These grants are being provided through the Cultural Infrastructure and Development funding mechanism.
The Minister continued:
“This comes in the wake of my announcement of additional funding for all National Cultural Institutions in Budget 2018. Separately, I also announced an additional €90 million in capital investment between 2018 and 2021, which will benefit these institutions in particular, supporting their vital work and development. This funding marks a 50% increase in my budget for that period.
“I will be making a further announcement on the longer-term 10 year capital plan shortly. Investment in our National Cultural Institutions will, once again, be a priority in this funding.
“I launched the Creative Ireland programme last year to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation. Part of this involves supporting our National Cultural Institutions in preparing ambitious but realistic investment plans, building on the progress already underway, to address infrastructure deficiencies in a planned and measured way.
“These announcements of additional funding for some of our cultural bodies, including our National Cultural Institutions, in 2017 and 2018 are another signal of this Government’s commitment to continued investment in arts, culture and creativity under the auspices of the Creative Ireland programme.”
ENDS
13/10/17Grant of €9,566 approved by Minister of State McHugh for Seirbhísí Cúraim Chill Chomáin Teo, Co. Mayo to purchase kitchen equipment
Joe McHugh T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, today (Friday) announced that he has sanctioned a grant of €9,566 for Seirbhísí Cúraim Chill Chomáin Teo. to help them with the purchase of kitchen equipment.
Making the announcement, the Minister of State said that he was very pleased to provide this grant. Seirbhísí Cúraim Chill Chomáin do great work in this area, providing freshly-cooked meals to the elderly and to local schools. I am sure that this grant will help them keep up the good work.”
This grant is being sanctioned under the action area: The Gaeltacht as part of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
ENDS
13/10/172018 National Famine Commemoration to take place in University College Cork – Minister Humphreys
Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, has today (Friday) announced that next year’s National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday, 12th May 2018 in University College Cork. The event will be hosted by University College Cork in collaboration with Cork City Council. The focal point of the 2018 commemoration will be the launch of The Great Irish Famine Online.
Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said:
“As chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am very pleased to announce that next year’s National Famine Commemoration will be held in the grounds of UCC. Of course, the College was established in 1845 and opened in 1849, with construction continuing throughout the Famine years. Perhaps it is this history that has led UCC to become a leader in the field of research in and study of the Famine years.”
“In recent years, the National Famine Commemoration has been held in historic sites such as Glasnevin Cemetery and, only last month, in the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary. I am very pleased that on its return to Cork, having previously been held in Skibbereen in 2009, the Commemoration will take place in such a historic setting.”
“I am certain that the college and the City will come together to produce a fitting tribute to those who suffered during those darkest of years, not only on the day of the Commemoration but also through the development of a rich surrounding programme. ”
UCC President, Professor Patrick O’Shea commented today, “UCC is honoured to work with Minister Humphreys and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Cork City Council and host the National Famine Commemoration. The University has supported and invested in research on the Great Irish Famine for over twenty years. The award winning publication The Atlas of the Great Irish Famine is internationally regarded as the most original and insightful publication on this topic”.
Professor O’Shea continued, “This research continues as reflected in the Famine Online Project led by Mike Murphy, Cartographer, UCC. This flagship collaborative project includes colleagues from the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Education and Skills. It will result in the creation of a new digital resource of global significance of which all the partners can be immensely proud.”
Outlining the benefits of the initiative, Professor O’Shea said, “the project will make unique information globally available and for free. It will facilitate people across the world to explore and analyse the information pertaining to the famine for each individual three thousand parishes and sixteen hundred towns across the entire island of Ireland. The Great Irish Famine Online is a fascinating new resource that will make important contributions to new understandings of our past. This is one of the biggest contributions to Irish famine knowledge, research and education. It will allow people explore this tragic event like never before, made possible by the use of modern technology”.
ENDS
04/08/17Minister Humphreys announces capital funding of more than €745,000 for voluntary arts organisations nationwide
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Friday) announced funding of almost €750,000 for more than 60 local arts organisations around the country. The funding is being made available under Stream 3 of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018. Earlier this year, Minister Humphreys announced funding of over €9 million under Stream 1 and 2 of the Scheme.
The maximum grant being awarded under this round of funding is €20,000.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“We deliberately made the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 as flexible as possible to ensure that a diverse number of arts organisations would benefit. As a result of this latest round of funding, more than 120 organisations have benefitted from this very worthwhile scheme.
“The first two rounds of funding were for the larger arts and cultural organisations that required upgrading of existing facilities. The funding I am announcing today is specifically aimed at smaller organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit, which make such a positive contribution to their local communities.
“While the amounts involved are relatively modest, these grants will make a positive difference to the individual organisations concerned, which include small arts centres, theatres, galleries, museums, heritage centres, archives as well as artist studios and creative and performance spaces.
“A wide variety of projects will benefit including IT related projects, new lighting and sound systems in theatres and arts centres, seating, staging and storage and the improvement of digital facilities. These projects all aim to improve the audience and creative experience.
“As part of the Creative Ireland Programme, I want to enable creativity in every community. In that regard, this investment is an important way of supporting the arts in the regions and ensuring that people right across the country can access quality cultural facilities.
“I am also pleased that almost 80% of the funding being allocated today is for projects outside of Dublin. This is in line with the Action Plan for Rural Development which is the first ever whole-of-government strategy aimed at delivering real change for people living and working in rural Ireland.”
ENDS
The list of successful projects under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 (Streams 1 &2) is available on the Department’s website at:
http://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding/
Please see below the full list of organisations to benefit from funding under Stream 3 of the Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme 2016-2018:
| Stream 3 of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 Successful applicants | ||
| Organisation | Grant award | County |
| Eigse Carlow Arts Festival | 13,228 | Carlow |
| Cois na hAbhna CCE | 20,000 | Clare |
| Teach Ceoil Kilrush CCE | 18,591 | Clare |
| Sirius Arts Centre | 5,054 | Cork |
| West Cork Arts Centre CLG | 1,272 | Cork |
| St. Peters Cork Leisure World | 7,196 | Cork |
| Triskel Arts Centre CLG | 11,960 | Cork |
| Banteer Old School Heritage and Drama Trust (T/A Glen Theatre) | 12,262 | Cork |
| Conna Community Council | 2,200 | Cork |
| Cyclone Reparatory | 9,513 | Cork |
| Butt Drama Circle | 7,186 | Donegal |
| Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair | 20,000 | Donegal |
| Graphic Studio Dublin | 14,763 | Dublin |
| Arts & Disability Ireland | 6,932 | Dublin |
| Irish Architectural Archive | 20,000 | Dublin |
| DLR Mill Theatre | 14,296 | Dublin |
| Crash Ensemble | 327 | Dublin |
| Dublin Fringe Festival | 17,029 | Dublin |
| Common Ground CLG | 20,000 | Dublin |
| Complex Productions Ltd | 7,000 | Dublin |
| Dance Theatre Ireland | 11,828 | Dublin |
| Black Church Print Studio | 20000 | Dublin |
| Opera Theatre Company | 19,738 | Dublin |
| Smashing Times Theatre Company | 9,170 | Dublin |
| Druid Performing Arts CLG | 19,180 | Galway |
| Galway Arts Centre | 17,172 | Galway |
| Oughterard Courthouse Conservation & Heritage CLG | 14,000 | Galway |
| Taibhdhearc na Gallimhe Amharclann Naisiunta | 17,792 | Galway |
| Galway Community Circus Co. | 10,258 | Galway |
| Macnas CLG | 9799 | Galway |
| Baboro Galway Int Childrens Festival | 2,624 | Galway |
| St. Johns Listowel Square Ltd., | 2,517 | Kerry |
| Ceolann Cultural Centre Lixnaw CCE | 9,336 | Kerry |
| Laois Arts Theatre/ Dunamaise | 20,000 | Laois |
| Anaglyph Ltd (Leitrim Sculpture Centre) | 20,000 | Leitrim |
| Fresh Film Festival CLG | 4,593 | Limerick |
| Ormston House | 12,510 | Limerick |
| Backstage Theatre | 20,000 | Longford |
| An Táin Arts Centre | 7,322 | Louth |
| Oriel Cultural Centre CCE | 16,112 | Louth |
| Carlingford Heritage Centre | 20,000 | Louth |
| Ionad Ealaine Iorrais Teo | 16,100 | Mayo |
| Tullycorbet community Development Association | 20,000 | Monaghan |
| Teach Ceoil Killeagh CCE | 13,496 | Offaly |
| Strokestown Poetry & Tourism Company CLG | 544 | Roscommon |
| Michael Coleman Heritage Centre CCE | 20,000 | Sligo |
| Teach Morrison Outreach Centre CCE | 7,550 | Sligo |
| COSAOS Ltd | 10,906 | Tipperary |
| Tipperary Excel Heritage Company Ltd. | 8,645 | Tipperary |
| South Tipperary Arts Centre | 8,261 | Tipperary |
| Cloughjordan Arts CLG | 18,195 | Tipperary |
| Ballyduff Muintir Na Tire Community Services Ltd | 17,502 | Waterford |
| Viking Triangle Arts CLG | 14,114 | Waterford |
| Mullingar Charity Variety Group | 6,957 | Westmeath |
| Athlone Little Theatre Ltd., | 3,151 | Westmeath |
| Helium Arts | 14,000 | Westmeath |
| Aras na Mhuilinn CCE | 18,719 | Westmeath |
| Ballynacargy CCE – | 11,124 | Westmeath |
| Gorey Educational Trust LTD | 8,460 | Wexford |
| Feachtas Ealaion Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn | 14,723 | Wexford |
| 745,207 | ||
Over €450,000 sanctioned for Capital Works on Donegal Islands
Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh T.D., has today sanctioned €450,750 for Donegal County Council to carry out improvement works on various islands in the county in 2017. The islands concerned are Árainn Mhór, Toraigh and Oileán an Bhráighe. The County Council will provide match funding.
The planned improvement works involve road reconstruction on Árainn Mhór and Toraigh, in addition to causeway pointing on Oileán an Bhráighe. A full list of works is available from the Department.
Minister of State McHugh said that he is pleased to be in a position to make this announcement.
“This financial assistance being provided by my Department to Donegal County Council facilitates the improvement of infrastructure on Donegal’s islands and it is further evidence of my Department’s commitment to supporting our offshore islands,” the Minister of State said.
ENDS
27/06/17Minister Humphreys announces Culture Ireland open call for 16th Venice Architecture Biennale 2018
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Tuesday) announced that Culture Ireland is seeking proposals to represent
Ireland at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2018. The Venice Architecture Biennale is the world’s leading architecture event, featuring more than 60 national exhibitions and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Ireland at Venice is led by Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. 2018 will be a special year with Irish architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects being honoured by the Board of La Biennale di Venezia with their appointment as the overall curators of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“Ireland’s participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale helps to boost the profile of Irish architects internationally and build on their strong global reputation. Irish architects have become renowned internationally for their excellence and innovation and the Venice Biennale is a very valuable opportunity to highlight that talent.
“2018 is of course a very special year for Ireland at Venice, as Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects have been appointed as the overall curators for the 16th Architecture Biennale, which is an incredible achievement. Their appointment brings a new global focus on the extremely high quality of Irish architecture.
“Through the Creative Ireland programme, we are aiming to put culture and creativity at the centre of public policy. Architecture is rooted in creativity and innovation and I think Ireland has a very positive story to tell right now about our architects and the success Irish architecture is enjoying internationally.”
ENDS
26/06/17Minister Humphreys approves almost €135k in funding for local and regional museums
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Monday) announced a series of small grants for local and regional museums around the country. Total funding of €134,965 is being made available under the Local and Regional Museums Funding Scheme 2017.
Twenty-three projects are benefitting, with maximum funding of €15,000. Projects in receipt of funding include Tipperary County Museum, Cavan County Museum, Athy Heritage Centre and Knock Museum.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“This funding scheme provides small but important cash injections for local and regional museums around the country. I am very pleased to be in a position to approve funding totalling more than €130,000 to 23 projects nationwide.
“Our local and regional museums are an extremely important source of culture and heritage in towns and villages nationwide. Through the Creative Ireland Programme we want to increase access to and participation in cultural activity in every county, and if we want to achieve this we need to ensure local cultural and heritage assets are well maintained.
“The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development also aims to boost rural tourism by 12% over the next three years and all of the museums receiving funding today play an important role in attracting visitors to their respective regions.”
ENDS
24/06/17Minister McEntee lays wreath at special Francis Ledwidge commemorative event in Slane
The Minister for European Affairs, Helen Mc Entee TD, will today (Saturday) lead the official representation at a special State commemoration of the centenary of the death of Lance Corporal Francis Ledwidge, the poet, Irish Volunteer and soldier, who died in the Battle of Passchendaele on 31st July 1917.
The event has been arranged in partnership with Meath County Council and the Francis Ledwidge Museum Committee and comprises a significant cultural element, incorporating poetry, music and readings. The ceremony will culminate in the formal State commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony, with participation by members of the Defence Forces.
Speaking today, Minister Mc Entee said:
“Francis Ledwidge was a poet, a patriot and first and foremost a proud Meath man. His poetry brought to vivid life the beautiful County Meath countryside which so inspired him as a young man. I am honoured to gather with members of the local community today to pay tribute to his life and his contribution to this country, 100 years after his death.
“Ledwidge lived through some of the most transformative events that shaped the history of Ireland and the modern world; it was a period of immense political, social and cultural change. Active in labour and public affairs, as an Irish nationalist, Ledwidge was a founder member of the Irish Volunteers in Slane. He enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers regiment of the British Army during World War One because, in his own words: ‘she stood between Ireland and an enemy common to our civilisation’.
“His life reminds us of the complex and interwoven narratives surrounding Ireland’s participation in World War One. Today’s event is important in the context of the Decade of Centenaries, which has allowed us to remember each event as they recurred 100 years ago, and reflect on how each event impacted on the next. Throughout this period of historical reflection, we have expanded our understanding of our tumultuous past.
“I would like to thank Meath County Council and the Francis Ledwidge Museum Committee for their ongoing commitment to the preservation of the legacy of Francis Ledwidge, and for working with the Department of Arts and the Defence Forces in organising today’s event.”
ENDS
23/06/17Minister Humphreys congratulates NPWS and Kerry County Council on retaining the Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today warmly congratulated the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of her Department and Kerry County Council for their work in achieving the retention of the Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (previously Killarney National Park Biosphere Reserve).
At a meeting in Paris last week, UNESCO’s Man And Biosphere Council confirmed that the Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will retain its designation as a Biosphere Reserve following the submission of a detailed Periodic Review completed by NPWS, Kerry County Council and by Galway consultants McCarthy, Keville O’Sullivan.
Biosphere reserves are renowned for exceptional environments and a high diversity of life, and are an internationally recognised “badge” for excellence in sustainable development. Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted that UNESCO has recognised the conservation effort undertaken in the existing Reserve and the expanded zones within the expanded Biosphere Reserve and I would like to commend staff from the NPWS and Kerry County Council who worked together to make this happen. Achieving the title of Biosphere shows how important the Department views the protection of our areas of natural heritage.
This site is one of two in Ireland which acts as a site of excellence for conservation, research and education. My Department, in partnership with Kerry County Council, is committed to significantly strengthening integrated measures in line with the philosophy of the Man and the Biosphere Programme and Biosphere Reserves.
I am confident that our commitment to proactive conservation scientific endeavour and education for the sustainable use of biodiversity will deliver the best results for the expanded UNESCO Kerry Biosphere Reserve.”
ENDS
