€104,000 community fund for Ennis Municipal District

ENNIS, Ireland - Jan. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- €104,000 is being made available to community groups, voluntary organisations, and festival and event organisers in the wider Ennis area under four new schemes, details of which have been announced by Clare County Council’s Ennis Municipal District Committee.

11 community groups and organisations throughout Ennis are to initially benefit from a €43,400 euro contribution scheme, while beneficiaries of the other schemes will be announced in the near future.

Among the groups confirmed as funding recipients this week are Ennis Tidy Towns (€14,000), Ennis Trad Festival (€5,000), Ennis Street Festival (€5,000), Clare Roots Society (€4,500), Ennis Brass Band (€2,700), Ennis Fashion Week (€2,700), Ennis Gospel Choir (€1,500), Ennis St. John’s Community Games (€1,500), London Irish Centre (€1,200), Franciscan Friary Heating Fund (€1,200), St. Columba’s Heating Fund (€1,200), Society of St. Vincent de Paul (€1,000), St. Michael’s Irish Centre (€900) and Irish Community Care (€900).

A separate fund is being made available to local groups and community organisations in Ennis and the surrounding communities of Clarecastle, Kilmaley, Kilnamona, Barefield and Quin.  Members of the Municipal District will be announcing the beneficiaries of the €20,000 fund in the coming weeks.

€20,700 is also being set aside to assist the organisation of major festivals and events throughout Ennis and the wider area during 2015. Funding allocations will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Ennis Municipal District Committee is inviting community groups to submit applications for funding under a new €20,000 Community Grants Scheme. Once all applications are considered, a number of one-off contributions will be distributed to a variety of initiatives in the community and arts area. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12th February 2015.

“I am delighted that the Council finds itself in a position to be able to fund large range of community groups, event organisers and local organisations and to help them progress their work and initiatives during 2015,” said Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Johnny Flynn.

“Clare County Council has over the years contributed significantly to the work of community projects and initiatives down. The downturn in the economy impacted funding opportunities in recent years but I welcome the fact that the Council, through the Ennis Municipal District Committee, is now in a position to directly provide financial assistance to the many local community-based causes, groups and initiatives.

“I am particularly delighted that a number of organisations catering for members of our Diaspora have been named amongst the recipients of funding. It is only right, just and fair that we support those groups that have for generations served as a support outlet for thousands of Clare men and women abroad,” said Mayor Flynn.

Commenting on the Major Festivals and Events Fund, Mayor Flynn said: “Ennis is the capital town of the county and it is essential that significant festivals and events are encouraged, attracted and promoted for Ennis and the wider area.  It is also essential that the Council continues to support the Promote Ennis structure so that a range of initiatives can be progressed. This €20,700 scheme will be of major assistance to the organisers of major festivals and events during the coming months.”

In relation to the Community Grants Scheme, Mayor Flynn said: groups can apply for grant aid under the scheme, and each application is considered on its merits. Closing date for receipt of applications is 12th February 2015. Further information is available from www.clarecoco.ie or from Fiona Whelan at 065-6846259 or Mary Mackey at 065 6846544 or e-mail ennismunicipaldistrict@clarecoco.ie.