Offaly music venue gets €15,000 funding boost

Local music venue John Lee's Bar, in Tullamore, is to receive grant funding of €15,000 through a new Government scheme designed to support emerging local musicians

The funding through the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme, which was announced today (Thursday), has been welcomed by Offaly Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen.

The Offaly nightspot was one of 33 venues nationally to be approved for grant funding under the scheme.

Deputy Clendennen said the funding aims to assist small, established grassroots music venues to showcase the talent of emerging musicians from Offaly and across the country.

"This is a great opportunity for musicians who are starting out in Offaly in their playing careers to get the exposure and experience of performing in their local venue," said the TD.

"My colleague Minister Patrick O’Donovan has today announced the recipients of the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme, which provides €500,000 in funding across the country.

"Giving people a start in their music career and supporting local businesses are hand-in-glove priorities for Fine Gael, and I look forward to continuing my work with Minister O’Donovan to expand and grow supports like these for the local area.

"In particular, it’s great to see so many venues in rural towns and villages being supported, with funding awarded to 16 venues outside of our major cities.

"Following the announcement of this pilot scheme in March of this year there was a high level of interest, with nearly 100 applications submitted before the scheme was closed.

"I will be asking Minister O’Donovan to run this scheme again, and indeed, to consider what more we can do to assist venues and musicians across Offaly in the times ahead," Deputy Clendennen added.

"I would like to congratulate John Lee's Bar on receiving the maximum award available, and I look forward to future showcases."