PRESS RELEASE

Cork Opera House and Fota grant aided

The Cork Opera House is to be given a grant of £15 million for refurbishment works, said Deputy Billy Kelleher today. He welcomed the refurbishment grant saying it will considerably improve facilities at the country's only municipal Opera House and further enhance Cork as the country's cultural capital. "This grant will substantially add to the funds already raised for the Opera House following the launch of the fundraising drive in July last year. I welcome the funding from the Budget vote for the Department of Arts, which also sees approximately £1 million provided for the restoration and fitting out of Fota House," said Deputy Kelleher. "Cork has always provided a magnet for tourism, whether through festivals or the cultural events in the southern capital. These grants for two historic buildings should be widely welcomed as stimulants to our tourism industry," said Deputy Kelleher.