Westport’s festivals come under scrutiny

Westport’s festivals come under scrutiny


Michael Duffy

WESTPORT Town Council this week lauded the role festivals had played in attracting tourists to the town - but also said that they wanted detailed reports from festivals who are receiving funds from the council.
A list of eight festivals was provided to the councillors at last week’s meeting which detailed the council’s involvement in each one.
Five of the festival have now taken place - the Bluegrass Festival, the Music Festival, Heritage Day, the Get Out There Festival and Gaelforce, with the Cannonball Run, the Horse Fair and the Arts Festival yet to take place.
It was the latter which caused most debate. Cllr Michael McLaughlin said he felt the Arts Festival was not ‘hitting the mark’ while Cllr Christy Hyland (pictured) said there was a feeling that the festival was not achieving its potential and was receiving ‘handy money’ from the Town Council.
However, Cllr Hyland was asked to withdraw his remark, with Cllr Keith Martin stating that the Arts Festival was the longest running in Westport and a lot of people had giving huge amounts of their time voluntarily to put on a multi-faceted festival.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said it was unfair to criticise the organisers when they had no right of reply.
Cllr Myles Staunton said it was clear that the Arts Festival had massive potential and the council had indeed given the committee the highest grant available under the Amenity Grants Scheme.
“I feel we should invite in the organisers before the October meeting and see how things are going for them. We have to send out a positive message about the festival, this is a perfect town for a top class Arts Festival.
Cllrs McLaughlin and Hyland reiterated that they were not being critical of the Arts Festival and that they just wanted to see it reach its full potential.
The Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Tereasa Maguire, said she agreed with a comment made by her colleague Myles Staunton that the council should be looking to have somes festival between October and June, and that Easter may indeed be an appropriate time for such a festival. She added that all festivals that receive financial support from the Council should be held accountable and illustrate where the money was being spent.
Town Manager, Martin Keating, agreed that a strategic analysis of the festivals was a good idea and the timing during the calendar year was hugely important. He added that it was important that Westport continue to develop its brand as the Adventure Sports Capital of the country.