Donegal County Council says its commitment to arts in the county remains firm, particularly in terms of the needs of new communities.
In its budget book, the council says the Letterkenny based Regional Cultural Centre, one of the top ranked art centres in Ireland, will continue to provide vital support to the County’s cultural and creative ecosystem, delivering large-scale programmes of exhibitions, concerts, films, youth events, festivals, community events, and intercultural events – engaging with both local audiences and visitors.
The draft budget provides for over €1.6 million for the arts, with finding going to An Grianán Theatre, Abbey Arts Centre, and strategic partnerships with other independent arts organisations, along with Artists Bursaries, Culture Night, support for festivals, and support for new artistic works.
Funding is also pledged to the Errigal Arts Festival and the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival.
The Council says it will continue to develop and deliver arts programmes and initiatives through the Arts & Cultural Diversity Officer, that reflect and speak to the ethnically diverse, multicultural nature of today’s Donegal, and respond to the expressed needs of these new communities.
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Draft Budget Book text (figures may be revised down) –
6.12 The Regional Cultural Centre, one of the top
ranked art centres in Ireland, will continue to
provide vital support to the County’s cultural
and creative ecosystem, delivering large-scale
programmes of exhibitions, concerts, films,
youth events, festivals, community events, and
intercultural events – engaging with both local
audiences and visitors.
6.13 A provision of €1,667,277 has been provided to
cover a wide range of arts activity including
facilities/events such as An Grianán Theatre,
Earagail Arts Festival, Abbey Arts Centre,
Strategic Partnerships with other independent
arts organisations, Artists Bursaries, Culture
Night, support for festivals, and support for
new artistic works.
6.14 The Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival,
which supports artists and engages
communities in the south of the County, will
present its 26th annual programme in 2026.
The festival will showcase new theatre, music,
literature and spectacle works.
6.15 The Council will continue to develop and
deliver arts programmes and initiatives,
through the Arts & Cultural Diversity Officer,
that reflect and speak to the ethnically diverse,
multicultural nature of today’s Donegal
community and that respond to the expressed
needs of these new communities.
