The Stage

Irish theatre boosted by €16m windfall

Published Tuesday 29 August 2006 at 13:40 by Michael Quinn

Irish theatres are among 29 arts organisations set to benefit from a funding windfall of €16.4 million (£11.4 million), arts minister John O’Donoghue has announced.

Three Dublin theatres that stand to receive a slice of the extra cash - the result of departmental savings - are the Gate (€1 million), the Abbey (€500,000) and the still-in-development Smock Alley Theatre (€350,000). The Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo will also receive €200,000 and Galway-based Druid Theatre Company €150,000.

Meanwhile, two of Ireland’s leading opera centres can also expect additional money, with €450,00 allocated to Cork’s Opera House and €850,000 to Wexford Festival Opera.

The extra finance is being targeted at capital projects and repair and renovation work, and will bring total government spending on the arts in Ireland to a record €79.81 million (£53.96 million) in 2006.

O’Donoghue commented: “During my own term as minister, funding for the arts council has increased by almost 52% in four years. This further increase will allow the arts council to support a record number of artists and art organisations.”