Over €100,000 in funding has been allocated to Wexford Festival Opera as part of the 2019 Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme.
Minister Michael D’Arcy said this will boost tourist numbers and should increase the footfall to our local businesses in Wexford.
“This funding will be provided by Fáilte Ireland to local festivals which apply to its Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme.
“The programme is reviewed every year with a view to generating incremental visitor growth and revenue. Festivals and events are critical for tourism growth as they specifically attract more than 200,000 overseas visitors to Ireland and contribute more than €108 million to the economy every year.
“These festivals really add to the character of the area and are great for generating community spirit.
“The allocation of funding will be used to enhance and develop new festival ideas and support St. Patrick’s Day celebrations here in Wexford,” the Fine Gael Minister said.
Making the announcement, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD said: “With many challenges on the horizon for tourism, this announcement is a welcome start to 2019.
“Not only do festivals and events play an important role in delivering brilliant visitor experiences, they often encourage people to visit areas outside of traditional tourism hotspots and outside of peak times, helping to spread the benefits of tourism to communities throughout Ireland.

“I’m delighted to see Fáilte Ireland focusing on St Patrick’s Day across the country – there is massive opportunity there to attract overseas visitors to locations outside Dublin.”
Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly added: “Fáilte Ireland is very much committed to a greater spread of regional activity as well as supporting a longer tourism year. Festivals – which can take place anywhere and at any time of the year – are very much a part of this focus on greater regionality and seasonality.
“The festivals funded today will anchor tourism activity in their localities which is hugely important for local revenue and local jobs.”