The penny drops: Wexford gets a million for upgrading

media release:

(Friday, 19 October 2018) Josepha Madigan TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today announced a €1m capital grant for the National Opera House, in advance of the opening of the 67th Wexford Festival Opera, which opens tonight with a ceremony and fireworks display on Wexford’s quay front. The National Opera House on High Street, is home to the internationally acclaimed Wexford Festival Opera. Minister Madigan will be in Wexford this evening to officially open the Festival.

Speaking ahead of the official opening ceremony of Wexford Festival Opera 2018, Minister Madigan said, “I am conscious that we are celebrating this year, the 10th Anniversary of the opening of this magnificent Opera House. And while this auditorium looks as good as the day on which it opened, we all aware that every house requires continued investment to keep it in shape. So I am delighted tonight to announce that my Department will be investing €1m in necessary updating and refurbishment works over the next 3 years to protect the State’s significant investment in this building and to ensure that National Opera House continues to operate at the highest quality levels for many years to come.”

“In opera, Wexford is a global leader. In the arts, Wexford is a national example. This Government is deeply appreciative of this and is strongly supportive of the arts and Ireland’s arts community. The Taoiseach has made a public commitment to double funding for culture and the arts by 2025. Last week in Budget 2019 I was delighted to increase funding for arts and culture by over €22m. This includes doubling the increase in funding for the Arts Council by €6m to €75m.”