Ireland is investing more than €890,000 in Irish arts funding to bring the country’s creative talent to audiences around the world. Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan announced the Culture Ireland grants on 30 July 2026, supporting 143 projects across 36 countries.
The funding covers a broad range of disciplines, including dance, film, literature, music, opera, theatre and visual arts. It is designed to help Irish artists and cultural organisations tour, exhibit, attend festivals and build international audiences.
Irish arts funding reaches 143 projects worldwide
Culture Ireland’s Regular Grants Programme will support artists and organisations presenting Irish work internationally. The programme reflects the Government’s continued focus on strengthening Ireland’s cultural presence overseas and helping creators access new professional opportunities.
Supported activity includes international performances, literary appearances, film festival participation, touring productions and exhibitions. Projects will take place across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Projects supported across multiple art forms
- Dance: Projects include John Scott Dance’s Cloudy Study, Mufutau Yusuf’s touring work and Teac Damsa’s MÁM by Michael Keegan-Dolan.
- Film: Irish filmmakers will receive support to attend festivals in Luxembourg, the United States, Greece and elsewhere.
- Literature: Irish writers will appear at events including festivals in Cyprus, Canada and the United States.
- Music: International tours will feature artists and groups including Goitse, Plankton, John Blek, Kate Ellis, The Haar and Aoife Scott.
- Theatre: Touring support includes work by Dead Centre, Pan Pan, Branar, Brassneck Theatre and other companies.
- Visual arts: Exhibitions by artists including Alan Phelan, Breda Lynch, Eamonn Doyle, Mick O’Kelly and Claire Halpin are among the funded projects.
The programme also includes multidisciplinary activity at festivals and venues such as Ars Electronica in Austria, Claddagh Fest in Italy and the Kulturlinie Festival in Germany.
Culture Ireland grants strengthen Ireland’s global cultural profile
Announcing the funding, Minister O’Donovan said the investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting Irish artists and cultural organisations as they reach international audiences. He also wished participating artists well as they travel and present their work abroad.
The announcement is part of wider public investment in culture. A further €4 million has been allocated for Cultúr 2026, the cultural programme connected with Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. That programme will present Irish artists in every EU Member State and in every county in Ireland.
Read more
These initiatives aim to showcase contemporary Irish creativity to people in Ireland and across Europe, while creating opportunities for collaboration, touring and cultural exchange. Information on the Culture Ireland grant recipients is available through the official government announcement.
Explore more
What does the Culture Ireland funding support?
The funding supports international activity by Irish artists and cultural organisations, including tours, festivals, exhibitions, literary events and professional participation in overseas arts events.
Conclusion
This latest Irish arts funding package will help 143 projects bring Irish creativity to 36 countries. Alongside the €4 million Cultúr 2026 programme, it underlines the role of culture in representing Ireland internationally and connecting artists with audiences worldwide.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
