Poots welcomes largest ever gift to Northern Irelands arts

Arts Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed the largest ever personal gift to an arts organisation in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the £1million donation from Martin and Carmel Naughton towards the new Lyric Theatre in Belfast, Arts Minister Edwin Poots said:

“I warmly welcome this generous donation from the Naughtons for the new building for the Lyric Theatre. I also congratulate the Lyric for the fundraising effort it has made to date.

“As I have made clear since my appointment, I would strongly encourage a greater contribution to arts funding from the private sector and from local government.

“My Department has already announced a £6million contribution to the Lyric project but there are still funding gaps to close for this and other arts projects in Belfast, and Martin and Carmel Naughton have given a tremendous lead for others to follow."

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