Funding awarded to festivals and summer school in Louth

Funding has been awarded to two festivals and a summer school in Louth as part of the government's Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme 2025.

The scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies, with a maximum grant of €5,000 available.

€5,000 was allocated to Your Roots Are Showing CLG, for TradLABS, a two-day community folk arts weekender featuring hands-on workshops, live traditional music, and interactive sessions designed to engage local residents and visitors with Irish folk culture.

Through music, storytelling, and Irish language, the event fosters participation, creativity, and cultural pride. It offers inclusive, accessible programming that celebrates heritage while spotlighting underrepresented voices and eco-conscious practices, encouraging deeper engagement with the arts and a lasting connection to community-based cultural expression.

€5,000 was also allocated to the 2025 Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School. The Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School takes place annually in Carlingford. The 2025 Summer School marks McGee’s bicentenary by exploring urgent global issues through the lens of culture, dialogue, and democratic values.

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This year’s focus—Climate Justice and Human Rights in a Changing World Order—brings together citizens, creatives, activists, and thought leaders to engage with the arts, storytelling, and discussion. The Summer School promotes cultural activity by fostering inclusive debate, sharing lived experience, and encouraging collective creativity in response to global challenges.

€4,350 was allocated to the Drogheda Indian Association for a project that aims to provide a platform for individuals of all ages to actively engage in arts and culture, promoting inclusivity and community bonding. There will be traditional and contemporary performances showcasing classical and folk dances, drama, and musical ensembles.

Live music and an orchestra featuring talented local and guest musicians will create an immersive cultural experience. A traditional feast, Onam Sadhya, will also take place.

Announcing a national funding allocation of €293,252 for 64 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2025, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said that: “From music and storytelling to costumes and folklore, these projects offer a colourful glimpse into our heritage and help shape Ireland’s cultural tourism in a truly meaningful way.

"The creativity and care that go into each performance and programme are a testament to the passion of those working behind the scenes."