Fine Gael Councillor Frank Quinlan has expressed his disappointment that the Let’s Meet at O’Connell Street festival did not receive funding from the Council for this year.
It is understood that €10,000 was awarded to a different proposal.
Let’s Meet was requesting €40,000 for an event that would run from 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm across 12 weekends in the summer, and was designed to establish the Cultural Quarter as a recurring weekend destination for families, visitors and residents.
It is understood an allocation of €1.6m has been allocated for festivals in Waterford for 2026.
“The answer I got was you can’t apply for the same stream of funding in the same year,” said Cllr. Quinlan. “Unfortunately, there was €10,000 given to events in O’Connell Street, but this [Let’s Meet at O’Connell Street] was a stand-alone event for 12 weeks over the summer to encourage more people to come down to the Cultural Quarter and enjoy the music in that area,” he said.
“You have Churchyards Sessions, you have the Apple Market, and you have other events through the summer in the city,” continued Cllr. Quinlan. “I think the Cultural Quarter doesn’t get the same recognition or the same audience because it doesn’t have a standalone festival.
“Economic development gave me their answer so hopefully next year they might be successful,” Cllr. Quinlan added.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
