Bantry House, which hosts many of West Cork Music's events.
Double Honour for West Cork Music
The organiser of festivals such as the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Masters of Tradition and the West Cork Literary Festival, has published a report about its impact on the local economy. In the report, West Cork Music was found to have a ‘real and substantial impact on the local economy of the region and its community’.
Prepared by Eleanor Doyle and Gerald Brady of the Institute for Business Development and Competitiveness, School of Economics, University College Cork, the report states that West Cork Music’s three festivals together contribute over €2 million to the local economy, providing 21.7 direct and indirect jobs in the process.
The economic impact of West Cork Music was said to have increased by 30% in the last year, because audiences were staying longer and spending more per capita. The organisation was also said to have achieved a return of €6.60 for every €1 invested by the government.
The publication of the report coincides with the honouring of Francis Humphrys, CEO of West Cork Music, with a Fellowship Honoris Causa from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Humphrys was one of three people — along with Ann Murray and Barbara Wright — who received the award this year. Only fifty people have received since its foundation in 1848; other recipients include Olivier Messiaen and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
