Over 182 Kerry based professionals in the arts and culture sectors will be supported thanks to funding through the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme 3.

After a competitive application process that highlighted the talent and skills in the county, 23 applications were awarded over €130,000 in funding through the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme 3 by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The scheme, designed to support employment and well-being in the arts and culture sectors through the provision of live performances by engaging the services of professional artists, musicians, crew and other staff members involved in live performances, will fund over 50 performances in Kerry before the end of June.

The funding is to support the industry which has faced many challenges the past two years and now looks ahead with renewed hope and optimism.

Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer for Kerry County Council, acknowledges all who made the scheme possible.

"Kerry County Council thanks Minister Catherine Martin and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their continued support," she said.

"This is the third instalment of the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme and it has offered us the opportunity to hear from and support a variety of Kerry based performers, producers, and event coordinators. I would also like to thank all individuals and organisations who applied for funding. We are always humbled by the talent that resides within our county."

Projects such as the Silabh Luachra School Concert series will be supported by this scheme. This series will facilitate 10 concerts in primary and post primary schools during the months of April and May. The aim will be to entertain and educate primary and secondary school children around Kerry about the world of Irish Traditional music.

Music will also be heard in the beautiful gardens of An Díseart in Dingle. During the month of June the top garden of An Dísearrt will host Ceol Am Lóin sa Díseart for free lunchtime performances from local musicians.

The scheme has also offered the opportunity for unique performances such as 'Projections' in Carnegie Arts Centre Kenmare to take place. 'Projections' by Denis O’Sullivan is a one man multi-media show incorporating live music singing performance with video and photo on June 17 and 24.

These performances and many more will raise the curtains, turn on the lights and take to the stages across Kerry - from Dingle to Listowel to Kenmare to Tralee and everywhere in between.

A full schedule of events is available on the Arts Office website.