Funding of Commemorative Projects in County Cork 2020

 Funding of Commemorative Projects in County Cork 2020

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., recently announced a range of funding supports in the region of €900,000, to support local authorities across Ireland to develop community-led commemorations of the significant historical events of 1920.

In recognition of the transformative events that occurred in the City and County €200,000 has been allocated for Commemorations in the County of Cork, with a separate allocation for Cork City.

Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley said

“When commemorating the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016, we had over 500 community events and initiatives in County Cork. Since then community interest has grown even further in commemorating the War of Independence and Civil War locally. This funding announcement is welcome.  It is very important to remember where we have come from and history gives us our sense of place. In County Cork we take an inclusive approach to commemorations, where the past is always present and preserved for future generations. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of the county’s commemorative groups.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey commented,

“Cork County Council’s Commemorative Programme includes a wide range of initiatives. County Cork Commemorations Grant Scheme 2020 is a significant undertaking which will see over €80,000 in funding go to projects by over 50 community groups around the county. Other projects being progressed by Cork County Council include diaspora engagement, school competitions, exhibitions, virtual 3600 commemorative documentaries and oral history projects. Details of these and many other undertakings will be announced soon.”

On the Cork County and City Commemorative Programmes, Minister Martin commented,

“Over the past number of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation or postponement of public commemorative events in Cork County and City, in accordance with public health measures.  This has caused great disappointment to everyone who has worked so hard to develop a very meaningful and significant commemorative programme. Both City and County Councils have redeveloped their plans to account for the restrictions and have come up with imaginative and thought-provoking programmes for the remainder of the year and I am delighted that my Department is contributing significantly to both programmes.  I am confident that the events that took place in Cork in 1920 will be remembered in a meaningful, respectful and inclusive way.”

See www.corkcoco.ie for more information or email commemorations@corkcoco.ie