Clarenbridge in the money before festival starts!

Date Published: 30-Apr-2009

THE coffers of the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival were put on a firm footing on Friday night, when – despite the economic downturn – Taoiseach Brian Cowen promised that a grant of €8,000 would be paid to the Festival committee by Fáilte Ireland.

Mr Cowen was speaking at the launch of the Festival programme – which this year takes place from September 11 to 13 – at Poppy Seed, the new gourmet coffee house and restaurant nestling beside the bridge on the south bank of the river.

The Taoiseach praises the voluntary efforts of the local community, in perpetuating their traditions and heritage and in maintaining the festival’s status as one of the highest profile social events in the country.

Festival chairperson Anne Forde acknowledged…