Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Minister Paul Kehoe, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, that €110,000 has been allocated for Wexford Festival Opera in 2016. This is part of Fáilte Ireland‘s national funding of just over €1.8 million for 23 key national festivals and events.
“Wexford Festival Opera is a hugely popular event in Wexford and further afield. This event has grown in recent years and is attracting more and more tourists to the area. Funding of €110,000 will help to grow the festival further and to continue to plan for the future.
Running since 1951, Wexford Festival Opera has an international reputation for excellence with a superb national and international reputation. Its unique focus is the production of rarely performed and neglected opera performed by the best emerging international talent. The programme includes the headline operas in the stunning Wexford Opera House along with a shortworks programme and lunchtime recitals.
“There was a 14% increase in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eleven months of 2015 and the most recent figures show that revenue in the sector has increased by 16% to €4.2 billion. A significant factor in this growth is the festivals and events on offer in all parts of the country.
“The Government has set an ambitious target of attracting 10 million visitors to Ireland and having 250,000 people employed in the tourism sector by 2025. Continued growth of festivals and increasing the offering to tourists will be key in meeting these targets.
“In 2016 we will continue to promote all of the festivals on offer around the country, including Wexford Festival Opera.
“2015 has been an extremely strong year for tourism but it is vital that we maintain our competitiveness and keep our focus on keeping the recovery going in the tourism sector.”
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