INDUSTRY FEATURE
Transe Express, Giant Divas performing at GIAF 2015
INBUSINESS’ FESTIVAL PICKS FOR 2016
The Cat Laughs Cillian Murphy and Mikel Murfi in Ballyturk, GIAF 2014
Body&Soul Festival
doesn’t have a reputation for opera; it isn’t an art form that’s embedded in the national ethos. So Wexford has become the beacon for Irishproduced opera. All of the money goes on the stage – our audiences have remained true to the festival because of the quality of the productions.” The festival is of major economic importance to Wexford and the south-east. In 2013, the festival was independently assessed by Deloitte and its direct economic impact to the local economy was estimated to be in the region of a8.5m. “It is a major economic contributor to the region both directly and indirectly,” confirms McLoughlin. “Firstly, during the six-week festival period, it becomes the town’s largest employer directly but it also contributes indirectly; it becomes the largest renter of property in the town.” Wexford Opera Festival was the recipient of a110,000, the third largest funding grant, from Fáilte Ireland. “Because it’s one of the few Irish festivals that has a genuinely international brand and reputation, it is probably a major contributor to Ireland’s expanding cultural tourism. Over 30 per cent of our audiences come from outside of Ireland, which has a great impact nationally and locally in terms of tourism spend.” InBUSINESS | Q1 2016
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ARTS AS AN IDENTITY To the west, the Galway International Arts Festival, like the races or the coast, is an integral part of the city’s identity. It’s a production-led arts festival, helping artists make new work, presenting and then touring those works. A ‘festival of extraordinary experiences’, it also offers new ideas, debate and discussion and presents its programme in unusual spaces. Artistic Director Paul Fahy stresses the importance of our cultural output, something you can’t put a value on. “Amidst the doom and gloom I heard a lot that the shining beacon of hope was what Ireland could offer culturally. What Irish artists, writers and musicians were making was such an asset for Ireland.” However, the festival also contributes in monetary terms, to the value of about a23.5m a year. “That’s the direct economic impact,” Fahy says. “That’s massive. Our Arts Council grant is just shy of half a million and we receive some funding from Fáilte Ireland. So for every euro we receive, we give back many multiples. “Galway is so associated with the festival. That kind of value is hard to quantify: the qualitative value of living in a city with a pulse. We like to think that the arts really matter to people’s lives. It’s almost one of the defining attributes of the city.” Hundreds of festivals take place around the country each year, attracting international visitors, creating employment and generating revenue. But Ireland’s festivals also support and develop a range of artists and art forms, communicate our culture and heritage at home and abroad, all with the aim of enriching the lives of their patrons – or just showing them a good time. While the former is all about adding monetary value, the latter is invaluable.
THE CAT LAUGHS Kilkenny’s comedy festival brings together the best of Irish and international comics and entertainers. This year’s bill includes James Acaster, Aisling Bea, Jason Byrne and the sketch group Foil Arms and Hog. 2-6 JUNE 2016, THECATLAUGHS.COM BODY&SOUL Body&Soul Festival is a three-day banquet of music, art and culture that takes place at Ballinlough Castle to honour the summer solstice each year. Its core focuses are sustainability, well-being and a unique programme of events, believing that the festival ‘experience’ is as important as its lineup. 17-19 JUNE 2016, BODYANDSOUL.IE GALWAY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL The ‘festival of extraordinary experiences’ brings together music, performance, theatre, spectacle and visual art in out-of-the-ordinary venues. The first announcement for 2016 sees Bell X1, plus special guests, return to the festival’s iconic Big Top. 11-24 JULY 2016, GIAF.IE FLEADH CHEOIL NA HÉIREANN This year’s Fleadh will be hosted by Ennis, Co Clare. For one week each year, the Fleadh presents the best of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Organised by Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, about 20,000 performers gather for the most important event in their calendar. 14-22 AUGUST 2016, FLEADHCHEOIL.IE TIGER DUBLIN FRINGE The 14-day Fringe presents new and experimental art from theatre, music, circus and comedy to dance and more. Support emerging voices, get to know new artists or just lose yourself in the diverse programme. Details for the 2016 are still to be announced but, going by past years, it promises to be an eclectic mix. SEPTEMBER 2016, FRINGEFEST.COM WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Whether you’re discovering opera for the first time or an opera-lover in search of new or neglected works, Wexford is the place for you. Newcomers can dip their toes in the short works or lunchtime recitals and seasoned opera-goers can enjoy Barber’s Vanessa or Donizetti’s Maria de Rudenz. 26 OCTOBER-6 NOVEMBER 2016, WEXFORDOPERA.COM LINGO Ireland’s first ever spoken word festival began in 2014. The organisers launched the festival believing that Irish spoken word is on a par with any in the world and deserves both attention and a chance to grow. If you haven’t yet encountered this emerging art form, stay tuned for details on Lingo 2016. DATE TBC, LINGOFESTIVAL.COM
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