'Irish Cultural Festival' ruled out for Kildare town

An Ireland First councillor for Kildare-Newbridge MD has called for €12,000 in LPT (Local Property Tax) monies to be allocated by the council towards holding an Irish Cultural Festival in Newbridge.

In explaining his motion, Cllr Tom McDonnell told the council that while there were a lot of festivals in Newbridge and Kildare celebrating various cultures, he hadn't seen “anything” promote Irish culture.

Such a festival, he said, would promote Irish music, song and dance, and there was currently “no” platform in Newbridge to hold such an event.

Cllr McDonnell suggested that the festival could be a “welcoming home” to those who were returning to Newbridge having been away, and could be held on an annual basis, starting from this year.

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He said such a festival would bring additional business to pubs, coffee shops and stores in Newbridge, and would be a welcome addition to the town.

Responding to Cllr McDonnell's motion, Cathaoirleach Cllr Noel Heavey (FF) said that there are meetings which discuss LPT, but that this was not one of those meetings.

He pointed out that there are other festivals that take place in Newbridge, and one this weekend starring “two of Ireland's favourite musicians” - Noel Hill (concertina), and Frankie Gavin (fiddle.)

Cllr Heavey said it was wrong, therefore, to give the impression that Irish culture is not paraded in Newbridge.

Also speaking on the motion, Cllr Brian O'Loughlin (FF) said that with the August bank holiday “just a couple of weeks away”, Cllr McDonnell's request was perhaps “a bit premature”, though he would welcome “in principle” an Irish cultural festival.

Cllr Suzanne Doyle noted that Newbridge runs “probably the biggest festival in the county” for St Patrick's Day, “and you couldn't get more Irish festival than that.”

Also, she pointed out, there were the celebrations for Brigid, which again were Irish culture festivals.

She said that there are a number of festivals already in existence, and rather than create another one it might be an idea to build on an existing festival, and incorporate some of the things Cllr McDonnell had stated.

Cllr Kevin Duffy (FG) pointed out that LPT allocations have already been made for this year, but it was possible that LPT could be considered for an event for next year.

A council official said that St Patrick's festival is a very big festival in Newbridge, and the Brigid festival was a major festival which the council is trying to make an international event.

She suggested that something could be added to the Brigid festival and that Cllr McDonnell might speak to some of the officials involved.

“I'll have to accept you don't want to accept Irish culture in the town.”, Cllr McDonnell retorted.

Following the protestations of councillors and the Cathaoirleach, Cllr McDonnell withdrew his remark.

The motion, being a matter for the members to agree, was overturned.