The Irish Arts Council has awarded €350 000 to small events and festivals. Each project has received up to €20 000, double what was awarded last year. Seventy applications were received in the first round, and the second round will be decided soon with the closing date on Friday 10 March 2006. Speaking today, Úna McCarthy, Arts Council Programme Manager, Festivals and Events said: “The Small Festivals Scheme is intended to be user-friendly and to encourage new applicants from many smaller or locally-based events. The expansion of the scheme means that we can look forward to a really disparate and imaginative array of festivals throughout the country. "In particular, it is really exciting that some festivals are expanding while many new festivals are emerging, from Tory Island to Waterford, with virtually every county in Ireland represented. It is also wonderful to see other stalwarts of the scheme receive the recognition they deserve with maximum funding”. For more information, CLICK HERE.