The grant funding will facilitate Irish arts events in priority countries such as Brazil, Russia, China, India in addition to various European countries, the United States and Canada. A significant number of the events will take place over the St Patrick's Day period which offers a special opportunity to highlight the strength of Irish artists at a time when there is a global focus on Ireland.  These events span Irish traditional bands touring the US to Irish film, music and theatre festival in Moscow.

Many Irish visual artists will be presented at key international art fairs throughout 2016 including fairs in Hong Kong, New York, Brussels and London. A strong and diverse programme of Irish musicians will perform at Celtic Connections in Glasgow in January while the Irish Chamber Orchestra directed by Jörg Widmann will undertake two tours to Germany/Switzerland in April/June.

Minister of State, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, commenting on the awards, said: “Irish artists continue to attract critical acclaim globally and high profile venues around the world continually seek to programme Irish work. The support awarded by Culture Ireland helps to ensure that Irish artists continue to reach international audiences and foster new connections worldwide, maintaining Ireland's reputation as a country of strong creativity.”

The full list of projects funded is below:

http://www.cultureireland.ie/applications/index.php?r=reports/outcomeGrants