by Louise Doyle
FESTIVALS are vital for boosting Donegal’s economy and profile but insurance costs can be problematic, it has been heard.
The latest meeting of the Economic Development, Enterprise and Emergency Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) has been told how events such as the McGill Summer School and the Irish Open in Ballyliffin have played a crucial role in boosting visitors to the county by placing Donegal on the national and international map.
Last year, Donegal County Council’s Tourism Team commissioned a survey of festival and event promoters to ascertain the challenges and needs of the sector as it emerged from Covid-19 pandemic public health restrictions.
A number of issues and challenges were found, including that insurance costs are very high.
Thirty-six per cent of all the festivals and events in Donegal take place during the summer season between July and August, while 32 per cent of festivals and events occur in the season of March to June, with a further 21 per cent taking place during September and October. Just over six per cent take place out of season from November to February.
Donegal MD sees the highest number of festivals (28 per cent), followed by Glenties, where 23 per cent of festivals take place.
Twenty-one per cent of festivals take place in Letterkenny-Milford MD.
Stranorlar MD hosts the smallest number of festivals and events at four per cent.
Thirty-one per cent of events in Donegal are music based.
Arts and literary/education make up 15 per cent, while 17 per cent of festivals and events are sporting events.
Thirty-seven per cent are community festivals or events that include a range of community-type activities.
Most of the festival and events are organised by voluntary groups and concern was expressed in relation to the drawing down of funding after the expenditure is incurred.
The SPC meeting was told that many groups don’t have access to cash flow to cover costs up front.
The meeting was told that the Council provides direct funding supports to a range of festivals and events under a number of programmes including Fáilte Ireland Regional Festival and Events Funding Programme which is administered by the Council’s Tourism Team.
The programme sees in the region of €49,000 being allocated to approximately 30 applicants each year, with allocations raging from €500 to €4,000 each year.
This funding is aimed at providing support for the marketing of festivals and events by their promoters.
Donegal County Council also provides financial assistance each year to a small number of festivals that attract a national and international audience including the MacGill Summer School.
These festivals and events are not only key attractors but also present a positive opportunity to raise the profile of Donegal both nationally and internationally through their promotional and marketing activities.
In 2023, the tourism team, under the auspices of Donegal Tourism Clg, worked with sea sessions to avail of a number of cooperative marketing and publicity opportunities including national radio advertising, online competitions and brand placement opportunities.
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Ballyliffin in 2018 and the Irish Legends Senior Golf Tournament in Rosapenna in 2021 and 2022 contributed significantly to building an international profile for golf in Donegal and the north west, the meeting heard.
The SPC heard bidding for and hosting international festival and events that have the potential to raise the national and international profile of the county need to be explored.
Under recommendations, it was suggested Donegal County Council invites festivals and events to submit bids or proposals for sponsorship under the Go Visit Donegal brand.
It was proposed that five festivals and/or events of a national or international standing will have the opportunity to secure a financial contribution of approximately €10,000 in return for a range of cooperative marketing and publicity opportunities that will be of significant value to the GoVisitDonegal brand.
“The council recognises the importance of supporting festivals and events. In this regard, it is proposed to establish a three-year pilot to target a cohort of six to eight festivals and events and include a funding commitment of €4,000 per year and a series of wrap around supports to allow the festival or event to develop into one with a strong national and/or international appeal,” the meeting was told.
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