Funding in excess of €400,000 has been announced by Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to support Irish artists present their work globally through the Department’s Culture Ireland programme.

Announcing the funding, Minister Ó Ríordáin said that he was committed to building on the success of Irish artists internationally and drawing attention to Ireland as a centre for strong creativity and innovation. The impact Irish artists have worldwide was recently evidenced in the hugely successful St Patricks Day international programme which facilitated over 50 events worldwide.

Events receiving support in this current round of funding include the presentation of Irish film in key international festivals including in London and Lisbon. This summer Irish musicians will reach audiences of over 250,000 through performances at major North American Festivals including  Milwaukee Irish Fest and Dublin Irish Festival in Ohio and will generate new audiences in Zimbabwe, Japan and South Korea.  Camerata Ireland will undertake a South American tour as well as a 12 concert tour within China, while The Irish Baroque Orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah in Switzerland. The First Irish Festival in New York host Irish theatre productions such as Fishamble Theatre Company's  Little Thing, Big Thing by Donal O’Kelly and Guna Nua's Pondling by Genevieve Hulm, winner of a Fringe First award in Edinburgh in 2014.  Contemporary Irish dance will feature in Italy with performances by Aoife McAtamney in Rome and Fidget Feet aerial dance in Florence in the summer. The programme of Irish writers and poets to perform at key festivals and venues in the USA, Europe and Asia includes a Bloomsday focus.

Ó Ríordáin commented: “the impact of our artists overseas cannot be overstated.  Ireland is recognised and acknowledged worldwide as a country of immense cultural diversity, and excellence.  Our wealth of talent is second to none and overseas it is our calling card to encourage business and tourism to our shore.”