Updated 7pm
THE ORGANISERS OF Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann have announced their decision to return funding received from Shell.
The Fleadh’s Facebook page has been littered with comments criticising its earlier acceptance of financial support from Shell.
The Irish music event, which attracts thousands of visitors from overseas each year, is being hosted in Sligo this year, from 10-17 August.
In a press release issued today, the organisers said:
In keeping with the ethos of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as an inclusive, community driven and family focused event and to avoid any unnecessary distractions on the eve of the festival, we have respectfully decided to return the financial support we received from Shell.
Here is their statement in full:
In a statement from Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL ) this evening they said that they were “disappointed” by the decision of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Sligo to return the financial support.
Our support for the 2014 Fleadh in Sligo is in keeping with our continuing investment in cultural, community and family events run by volunteers.SEPIL was approached by the organisers of the Sligo Fleadh in early 2014 to become an event sponsor. We gladly accepted this invitation as it was building upon the support we had previously provided to the Mayo branch of Comhaltas when it hosted its Fleadh Cheoil in Ballycastle in 2009.
We hope that everyone who attends the Sligo Fleadh will enjoy this wonderful festival of Irish music, drama and song and we wish the organisers every success.
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