Funding sought to support Sligo’s country music performers and comedians – ‘it’s important they get their fair share’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion before November’s monthly meeting of Sligo County Council heard calls for a funding scheme to be made available to country musicians and comedians, with Cllr Thomas Walsh calling on the local authority to write to the Minister for Culture and Arts, the Director of the Arts Council and the CEO of Fáilte Ireland to ensure country music musicians and groups and comedians are supported like other artists and genres.

Cllr Walsh explained, “Comedy and country music section is excluded from applying for funding through the Arts Council,” adding, “It is within the Minister’s power to impose policy under legislation.”

“You would have to question what the difference is between opera, literature, circus performance, who all can apply. Country music is the fastest growing genre in Europe and America,” adding, “Luke Combs sold out two nights in Slane at 80,000 per night.”

“It is important these two genres are allowed to apply for public funding, venues across the country are packed every weekend with young people attaching to music festivals and they are continuing to soar in popularity. I think it is important they get their fair share of public money.”

Highlighting the disparity faced by artists in different genres Cllr Walsh pointed out that funding isn’t available to country music performers and comedians, despite their popularity, but would be available to artists who would not be able to attract similar attendances.

"It is important they get their fair share of funding. It is very unfair, other events get funding and they wouldn’t get 5% of the crowds of Sligo Comedy Festival.”

Cllr Walsh also took the opportunity to congratulate Sligo’s own Sandy Kelly who was recently inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall Of Fame Award on the Late Late Show.

Cllr Gerard Mullaney agreed with the sentiments of the motion, as did Cllr Fergal Nealon who commented, “I would like to support the motion but one serious concern over potential conflicts of interest because as far as I can see there is some amount of comedians in this chamber.”

Cllr Paul Taylor offered his support for the motion saying, “if we are bringing more into it, more funding has to be made available.”

Cllr Liam Brennan also gave his backing to the motion saying, “There is a social element and it fills hotels. If we are going to support these artists, we need funding.”

Cllr Gino O’Boyle agreed greater support should be available made saying, “Take the money out of horse racing.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.