Councillor opposes council sponsorship of Kilbeggan Races

An Athlone councillor has voiced her opposition to Westmeath County Council's annual sponsorship of an event at Kilbeggan Races, saying that racing is already well-funded and the council's money should be put to other community uses.

The local authority sponsored the 'Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Handicap Hurdle' which was one of the attractions at the final race meet of the year in Kilbeggan last Friday.

A sum of €3,500 for sponsorship of the event was included this week in an Athlone Moate Municipal District programme of €14,000 for festival and events funding, but Cllr Louise Heavin disagreed with this allocation.

"Horse Racing Ireland is incredibly well-funded out of the public purse. I would be reluctant to sponsor that race and, if it was me drawing up these allocations, I certainly wouldn't have sponsored it," said the Green Party representative.

"It's a huge chunk of this budget, to put our name on a race, compared to all of the community groups that have asked for bits and pieces. I really don't think it's fair at all and I would like to see it revisited next year."

Her stance was not supported by any of the other eight councillors at the Municipal District meeting, most of whom spoke in support of Kilbeggan Races and its importance to the county.

The council's Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, said the sponsorship was influenced by the "long tradition of equine activity" in Westmeath.

"It's effectively the same sponsorship that's given every year by the council and it's our understanding that the council, notwithstanding (Cllr Heavin's) views, would wish to continue with that sponsorship," said Mr Kehoe.

Cllr Tom Farrell described Kilbeggan Races as "a shining light for Westmeath" and said the local authority should be proud to be associated with it.

"Many years ago Kilbeggan Races was nearly gone, only (for it to be rescued by) the voluntary committee. There are a lot of overheads to run these races, and for us to spend €3,500 a year on the sponsorship of a race is well worthwhile."

Kilbeggan native and Mayor of the Municipal District Liam McDaniel also said the sponsorship was well-deserved, pointing out that Kilbeggan Races was "probably one of the oldest events in the county."

The races offer "a great day out for anyone" said Cllr Jamie Moran, while Cllr Frankie Keena said: "Kilbeggan Races had attracted large attendances pre-Covid and large numbers will come back post-Covid."

The toll the pandemic has taken on in-person events was reflected in the much lower allocation of festival and event grants from the Municipal District this year, but ten events which applied for council funding were awarded it.

These included a proposal from Athlone's Making Space Artists' Collective for a film screening that would be projected on one of the walls of the town's civic centre. The council initially pencilled in an allocation of €750 towards the Making Space event, but this was increased to the requested €939 at Cllr Heavin's suggestion.

A number of applications for festival and event grants were turned down on the basis that they didn't meet the funding criteria, including a community celebration in Tang involving the GAA club.

Cllr Tom Farrell told the meeting this was "a 50-year celebration" which would take place outdoors in Tang in late September and would involve Comhaltas and local schoolchildren.

He asked for the District to reconsider the decision to refuse funding.

Cllr Heavin asked for the local authority to also reconsider the rejection of a €2,100 funding request from the Athlone African Community Group towards its community Christmas event.

Mr Kehoe agreed the Tang event and the Athlone African group's plans could be re-examined.

A request for €2,600 towards the Dún na Sí Santa Experience this year was also turned down for the time being on the basis that it was currently planned as a postal, rather than in-person, event. It was agreed that this too could be re-examined if it is changed to an in-person attraction.

2021 Festival and Events Funding: Athlone Moate Municipal District

€3,500: Kilbeggan Races (Sponsorship of ‘Belvedere House, Gardens & Park Handicap Hurdle’)

€3,000: Athlone Christmas Market Group (Athlone Christmas Market)

€1,500: Midland Amenity Park, trading as Dun na Sí (Hallowe’en ‘Scare Festival’)

€1,000: Midlands Polish Community (Live music at Christmas Market)

€1,000: Moate Action Group (Monthly street market event)

€1,000: Rathowen Community Development (Harvest Festival)

€939: Making Space Artists Collective (Film screening projected on Athlone Civic Centre Wall, also hosting of musicians and other artists)

€900: Castledaly Development (Mid-term at the Manor - Market stalls and community family day at Castledaly Manor)

€750: Athlone Canal Heritage Committee (Event and promotion of Athlone Canal heritage in local hotel)

€500: Custume Pitch & Putt Club (Open competition, Scratch Cup)