Funding boost announced for two festivals in north Louth
Féile na Tána, founded by Louth musicians Zoé Conway and John McIntyre, and Omeath Tidy Towns have been awarded funding to support two festivals this summer
Funding has been announced for two festivals in north Louth this summer, under the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme, it was announced today by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD.
Cultural festival, Féile na Tána, an Irish traditional music festivals that takes place on the first weekend of February each year in Carlingford, has been allocated €14,920 for the Féile na Tána Summer Series.
Founded in 2013, Féile na Tána attracts local, national and international artists to the border region in North Louth. Founded by celebrated local musicians, Zoé Conway and John McIntyre, their focus has always been to create access to the arts for the local border community.
In summer 2026, Féile na Tána will launch a summer series of events across the border in South Armagh, taking place in neighbouring villages and townlands of Lislea, Killeavy, Mullaghbane, Forkhill and Crossmaglen.
Omeath Tidy Towns has also been allocated €6,750 for a summer festival along Carlingford Lough. This festival celebrates arts/culture and music and is held mid Aug to incorporate the15th August, which is historically a day of rest for farmers within both areas.
The festival will host a fayre day in Warrenpoint, have marching bands and traditional music and dancing in both Omeath and Warrenpoint, traditional seaside entertainment such as magic and puppet shows, facepainting, live entertainment on the streets of Warrenpoint and Omeath and a fireworks display over Carlingford Lough,
Minister O’Donovan has approved allocations amounting to €204,500 to support a number of cultural projects with significant cross-border elements.
Small self-contained projects funded under the scheme seek to enhance, celebrate or commemorate the artistic, cultural, musical, film or heritage of the Island of Ireland on a North/South basis.
Applications were invited for projects that helped to promote:
- Co-operation and joint initiatives between organisations and institutions on a North/South basis;
- Cultural tourism on a North/South basis;
- The provision of cultural outreach programmes on a North/South basis.
Eighteen projects were successful and will receive funding up to a maximum of €15,000. These successful applications related to festivals, traditional music performances and cultural projects and the funding awarded will support cross border cultural exchanges at community level.
Speaking recently Minister O’Donovan said: “The Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme continues to strengthen partnerships between communities across the island, supporting shared cultural ambitions and meaningful collaboration.
“By bringing artists, organisations and communities together, the scheme creates opportunities to reach new audiences, exchange ideas and build lasting connections.
“I am delighted to announce funding of €204,500 for the 2026 programme, supporting projects that will celebrate our rich cultural traditions while fostering new relationships and deeper cross border engagement.”