Ireland’s international image to get cultural makeover

IRELAND’S cultural image on foreign shores will no longer be dominated by Plastic Paddy pubs and Riverdance.

The Government is going spend €2 million a year on exporting Irish culture abroad, under a new plan to be outlined by Minister for Arts, John O’Donoghue, tomorrow.

‘Culture Ireland’ will provide funding to Irish artists, musicians, writers, poets, filmmakers and theatre groups to travel to foreign countries to promote Irish arts and culture abroad.