MORE than 70% of the community groups that applied for festival funding in West Cork received an allocation from Cork County Council.

Nicola Radley, the council’s director of services for community, tourism and rural development, said they also wrote to those who were not successful to assist them with follow-up applications.

At a meeting of the Western Division, Nicola pointed out that they had received 90 applications, which, if granted, would have amounted to €706,000. But with €295,000 in this year’s budget, she said the local authority was as judicious as possible in allocating funding to 63 festivals and events county-wide.

The total number of small to medium applications in the Western Division includes seven approved applications, amounting to €15,500, in the Bandon-Kinsale Municipal District. And 26 approved applications, amounting to €57,000 in the West Cork Municipal District. Four large-scale applications in this area were granted €80,500 as part of the 2026 allocations.

The director said there is no disputing the fact that festivals and events support tourism and community vibrancy. Looking at what they provide throughout the year, she said there are seven events scheduled for September.

There are six supported events in October; five in July; four in May, June and August; three in March; and one each in January, April, November and December. But none for February.

The local authority’s Local Festival and Event Fund supports a diverse range of events ranging from music, arts and heritage to food and family-themed gatherings. Nicola said it also aims to support new and emerging events.

Amongst the newly supported small to medium events are Clonakilty Arts and Minds; Castletownbere Festival of the Sea in July; the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championship, which is expected to bring 15,000 visitors to Bantry in August; and the Tour de Beara Cycle in September.

Other approved small to medium events include the ‘Craic On’ Bantry Singles Festival in September; Bantry’s October Weekend Festival; and The Listening Product Sessions in December.

The funding for small to medium events amounts to €72,500, but €80,500 has been allocated for the approved large-scale festivals and events. These include the Ballydehob Jazz Festival; the O’Sullivan World Record attempt in Beara; the Fastnet Short Film Festival; and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, the West Cork Literary Festival and the Masters of Tradition.

Nicola told the public representatives at the Western Division meeting that the level of demand demonstrates the strength of the festival sector.

Chairman Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) paid tribute to the Council’s tourism and rural development team and all of the voluntary committees who organise these events.

He described the 2026 programme as strong, balanced and diverse and welcomed the fact that it runs right throughout the year.

‘Tourism is what we are good at in West Cork,’ he added. Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) made the point: ‘These events reflect the level of volunteerism across West Cork – we really are spoiled for choice. Cork County Council has given these groups confidence again post-COVID.’