Sport features prominently among the 82 flagship and 1240 local events revealed as receiving funding as part of the IPB Insurance Gathering Fund.
The Fund was put together as a philanthropic gesture of support for the Gathering and its objectives by IPB Insurance, an Irish owned business that caters mainly for the local authority market.
The Fund was smartly positioned in that regard through being administered by the City and County local authorities and it was through them that the application process was conducted.
Grants of up to €60,000 were available to support as many as three flagship events in each county with smaller payments of between €500 and €2,500 being distributed to smaller Gathering events aimed at raising overseas visitor interest and fostering good local community spirit.
“These events wil reap long term economic and social benefits for Ireland,” said IPB Insurance Managing Director, Ronan Foley. “The large number of applications received by City and County Councils is testament to the public support and sentiment for the Gathering and we are proud to support so many great projects.”
Among the key sporting events to receive funding are:
The Aer Lingus Festival of Hurling in Galway, featuring sixteen teams drawn from the US, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada. The sport will be backed up by music and culture ahead of a final at Pearse Stadium on September 21st.
European Schoolboys Boxing Championships in Monaghan following up on the success of last year’s tournament in Russia when the Irish team came home with ten medals, three of them Gold.
World U21 Snooker Championships to take place in Carlow from the 12th to the 23rd of August.  This is expected to draw 300 competitors and officials from 80 countries around the world with the winner earning a spot on next year’s Pro Snooker Tour.
SpoirtFest World Mini Games to light up Cork City and surrounding areas between the 22nd and 25th of August.  The event will feature short sided tournaments in soccer, rugby, cricket, gaelic games and many other sports as well as  the Irish Sports Summit which debuted in Ballincollig in 2012.
The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford on August 24th where cyclists from around Europe and further afield will compete in events from 12KM up to 160KM.
Leopardstown Christmas Festival forming the first leg of an extended New Year’s celebration by hosting a major concert after racing on the fourth and final day of the popular meeting on December 29th.  Racing has featured prominently in the flagship events with Punchestown and Limerick also attracting funding.
Other events to attract funding in this programme include the Mirror World Sailing Championships on Lough Derg, the Dublin City Marathon and the Pan European GAA Championships in Athlone.
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