Kildare councillor proposes Irish culture festival

A HEATED discussion over cultural festivals in Newbridge Town took place at this month’s Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting.

It all stemmed from a motion put forward by cllr Tom McDonnell, asking the council to allocate €12,000 of LPT funding to hold an Irish Cultural Festival in Newbridge on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The councillor explained to other elected representatives that he is looking to create an Irish Cultural Festival fit with all aspects of Irish culture – down to the language, dance and music.

He said: “I haven’t seen anything for Irish culture – we don’t have a platform in the town on an annual basis.” He described the proposed event as a “welcome home festival” for people who have emigrated from the country, inviting them back once a year to celebrate with their families and friends still living in Ireland.

“It’s something we really need for the town of Newbridge,” he said.

Newly elected cathaoirleach Noel Heavey appreciated where cllr McDonnell was coming from, but said that it was wrong to give the impression that there are no Irish cultural celebrations in the town – pointing to a recent event with world-class Irish musicians, including fiddle player Frankie Gavin, happening in the town over the weekend.

Other councillors agreed with this sentiment, but asked Cllr McDonnell to develop the details to get a better picture of his idea for the festival.

Cllr Suzanne Doyle, who is heavily involved with the organisation of festivals in the MD, made the point that there are two huge Irish culture festivals in the MD – the Newbridge St Patrick’s festival and the Brigid Festival – and rather than creating a new festival, maybe the MD should look at enhancing what it already offers.

“Festivals are very resource hungry,” she said. “When you put on one, you pull from others.” Other councillors agreed with cllr Doyle and asked that cllr McDonnell bring the idea forward for next year’s LPT arrangements.

The council’s Director of Finance, Eileen O’Hanlon agreed with the room, offering that it might be best to enhance the cultural events the town already has on offer.

Cllr McDonnell responded: “I’ll have to accept that you don’t want to provide Irish culture in the town.” Chair of the meeting, cllr Noel Heavey, called this comment “offensive.” He said: “You’re careless with what you said,” and asked cllr McDonnell to withdraw his statement.

“I’ll withdraw if it keeps you happy,” said cllr McDonnell.