More than €100,000 has been awarded to bars and venues in Galway to help them support grassroots music development and emerging local artists.
The Grassroots Venues Support Scheme has been expanded to a total of €1 million in funding this year after a successful pilot programme in 2025.
The 2026 scheme offered grants of up to €20k to established grassroots venues with a proven track record in programming emerging Irish artists.
Grants of up to €8k were available to venues who have previously programmed Irish artists and will use funding under this scheme to programme emerging artists performing live music or comedy.
The Róisín Dubh, Munroe’s Tavern, and The Ol’ 55 Bar and Venue in Galway City, as well as The Cornerstone in Loughrea, were each awarded €20,000.
Also in Galway City, €15,000 in funding has been awarded to Seven Bridgestreet and €8,000 to Mary Mullens Bar.
Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan said, “Our grassroots venues are central to nurturing emerging artists and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent”.
“It is very important that we recognise their contribution to the live performance industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face.”
“I look forward to seeing the diversity of genre and talent that will reach new audiences as a result of this funding over the months ahead.”
“I’d also encourage audiences from across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue and support artists in the early stages of their careers.”
This scheme will provide funding for a series of events showcasing grassroots artists performing material they have written/created themselves.
It is envisaged that these events will also provide employment for crew, light and sound engineering, marketing and PR, as well as increasing footfall to grassroots venues and contributing to a thriving night-time economy.
The Grassroots Venues Support Scheme came out of a recommendation from the Night-Time Economy Action Plan.
