Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Minister Patrick O’Donovan today announced awards for capital grants with a value of €228,065 to eight arts and culture organisations for upgrading and development of their facilities. This funding is provided under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, a €1.4m capital investment scheme focused on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country.   Speaking today, Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:   “It has been recognised by Government that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Investing in arts and culture facilities ensures the arts are accessible within our communities and supports the continuity of these centres for future generations."   For more details see: https://lnkd.in/ehGjfcur   Inniu d’fhógair an tAire Patrick O’Donovan dámhachtain le haghaidh deontais caipitil a bhfuil luach €228,065 orthu d’ocht n-eagraíocht ealaíon agus cultúir chun a saoráidí a uasghrádú agus a fhorbairt. Cuirtear an maoiniú sin ar fáil faoi Shruth E den Scéim Caipitil Cultúir, ar scéim infheistíochta caipitil €1.4m í atá dírithe ar an stoc ionad ealaíon agus cultúir atá ann cheana a fheabhsú ar fud na tíre.   Ag labhairt inniu, dúirt an tAire Patrick O’Donovan an méid seo:   "Aithníonn an Rialtas go bhfuil an cultúr agus na healaíona ríthábhachtach do shochaí chuimsitheach, lena gcuirtear deiseanna ar fáil le haghaidh oideachais, léirithe agus rannpháirtíocht an phobail. Le hinfheistíocht i saoráidí ealaíon agus cultúir, cinntítear go bhfuil na healaíona inrochtana laistigh dár bpobail agus tacaítear le leanúnachas na saoráidí sin do na glúnta atá le teacht." Tá breis eolais le fáil ag anseo: https://lnkd.in/eP-fhMF7 Credit: Ireland Content Pool 📸

Minister Patrick O’Donovan today announced the recipients of a total €1m in funding under the 2026 Grassroots Venues Support Scheme.   60 venues have been offered funding of up to €20,000 from the Scheme, an increase from the 34 venues supported in 2025. In addition, grant recipients include venues platforming Irish comedy and comedians.   Minister O’Donovan said: “Our grassroots venues are central to nurturing emerging artists and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent, and it is very important that we recognise their contribution to the live performance industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face."   For more see: https://lnkd.in/eDiekXuC   D’fhógair an tAire Patrick O’Donovan faighteoirí Scéim Tacaíochta Ionaid Pobail 2026 inniu, scéim a bhfuil €1m luaite leis do 2026.    Tairgeadh maoiniú suas le €20,000 ón Scéim do 60 ionad, méadú ar an líon de 34 ionad a fuair tacaíocht in 2025. Ina theannta sin, áirítear ar fhaighteoirí deontais ionaid a chuireann greann agus fuirseoirí Éireannacha ar siúl.   Dúirt an tAire O’Donovan: “Tá ár n-ionaid phobail lárnach chun ealaíontóirí atá ag teacht chun cinn a chothú agus deis a thabhairt dóibh barr feabhais a chur ar a gcuid tallann, agus tá sé an-tábhachtach go n-aithnímid an méid a dhéanann siad don tionscal léirithe bheo, go háirithe i bhfianaise na ndúshlán atá roimh na hionaid sin.   Tá breis eolais le fáil ag anseo: https://lnkd.in/euKHMqmS  

Minister Patrick O’Donovan has today received Government approval to publish the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. The legislation will assign the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ, and will enhance transparency, accountability and value-for-money in RTÉ and TG4.    Welcoming approval to publish the Bill, Minister O’Donovan said: “Efficient and appropriately funded public service media providers are an essential part of the democratic, social and cultural life of our country. At their best, RTÉ and TG4 play a vital role by providing programming that informs, educates and entertains and as sources of trustworthy and reliable information. However, to be effective, our public service media providers must be trusted. To be trusted, they must be open and transparent. That is why Government today approved the publication of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which aims to ensure that RTÉ and TG4 are accountable, transparent and provide value-for-money."   For more see: bit.ly/3RvCSwI   An tAire Patrick O'Donovan toil an Rialtais inniu chun an Bille Craolacháin (Leasú) a fhoilsiú. Is é an tArd Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste a bheidh ina iniúchóir ar RTÉ feasta de bharr na reachtaíochta, agus feabhsóidh an Bille trédhearcacht, freagracht agus luach ar airgead in RTÉ agus TG4.    Agus fáilte á cur aige roimh an gceadú chun an Bille a fhoilsiú, dúirt an tAire O'Donovan: “Is cuid riachtanach de shaol daonlathach, sóisialta agus cultúrtha ár dtíre iad soláthraithe meán seirbhíse poiblí atá éifeachtach agus maoinithe go cuí. Ag a ndícheall, imríonn RTÉ agus TG4 ról ríthábhachtach trí chláir a sholáthar a chuireann eolas, oideachas agus siamsaíocht ar fáil agus mar fhoinsí faisnéise ionraic agus iontaofa. Mar sin féin, le go mbeidh siad éifeachtach, ní mór muinín a bheith againn as ár soláthraithe meán seirbhíse poiblí. Le go mbeidh muinín againn astu, ní mór dóibh a bheith oscailte agus trédhearcach. Sin é an fáth ar cheadaigh an Rialtas inniu foilsiú an Bhille Craolacháin (Leasú), a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige a chinntiú go bhfuil RTÉ agus TG4 cuntasach, trédhearcach agus go soláthraíonn siad luach ar  airgead."   Tá breis eolais le fáil ag anseo: bit.ly/49KaQDZ

The Royal Irish Academy is delighted to announce a new grant scheme to support nuanced, collaborative research on different aspects of disinformation, involving research across multiple disciplines and networks. The scheme which is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport invites applications for amounts from €20,000 to €30,000 for each project in this, the scheme’s first year. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at 17:00: https://lnkd.in/dzc4yED7

Ministers O’Donovan and McConalogue announce €3.25m in additional Government support to help progress the long‑awaited Galway Regional Aquatic Project.   The proposed allocation would close the remaining funding gap identified by Galway City Council, enabling the project to move toward the construction phase - subject to completion of due diligence, final business case approval and tender documentation.   For more see: bit.ly/49VGmyO   Fógraíonn na hAirí O'Donovan agus McConalogue €3.25m i dtacaíocht bhreise ón Rialtas chun Tionscadal Uisceach Réigiúnach na Gaillimhe a chur chun cinn, tionscadal a bhfuiltear ag fanacht leis le fada.   Leis an leithdháileadh atá beartaithe, dhúnfaí an bhearna maoinithe atá fágtha a shainaithin Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe, rud a chuirfeadh ar chumas an tionscadail bogadh i dtreo chéim na tógála - faoi réir chríochnú an díchill chuí, formheas deiridh an cháis ghnó agus doiciméid tairisceana.   Tá breis eolais le fáil anseo: bit.ly/3Pf5RV0

A few images capturing the National Famine Commemoration which took place at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, Co. Galway, on Sunday. The event was hosted by Minister Patrick O’Donovan, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD officiated at the event and delivered the keynote address. Cúpla pictiúr ó Chomóradh Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir a bhí ar siúl i dTeach na mBocht i bPort Omna, Co. na Gaillimhe, Dé Domhnaigh. Ba é an tAire Patrick O’Donovan TD a d’óstáil an ócáid, agus ba é an Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD a bhí ina fhear an tí ag an imeacht agus a thug an eochairaitheasc.   📸Maurice Gunning Government of Ireland Patrick O'Donovan TD Galway County Council The Irish Workhouse Centre - SE Galway IRD

Minister Patrick O’Donovan today launched Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, Ireland’s National Day of Creativity for children and young people, at TU Dublin, Grange Gorman. This year, Cruinniú na nÓg will take place on Saturday, June 6. This all-island celebration will host over 1,300 free events across the island, celebrating creativity through music, art, circus, storytelling, film and more.   Building on its success last year, Cruinniú Late, supported by the Department’s Late-Night Economy Initiative will once again feature youth-led late-night events, created by and for 13–18-year-olds, where young people are invited into welcoming spaces for creativity, connection and self-expression.   For more, see: bit.ly/4nAbOIw   Inniu, sheol an tAire Patrick O’Donovan Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, Lá Náisiúnta Cruthaitheachta na hÉireann do pháistí agus do dhaoine óga, ag OT Bhaile Átha Cliath, Gráinseach Ghormáin. I mbliana, beidh Cruinniú na nÓg ar siúl Dé Sathairn, an 6 Meitheamh. Leis an gceiliúradh uile-oileáin seo, óstálfar breis is 1,300 imeacht saor in aisce ar fud an oileáin, agus an chruthaitheacht á ceiliúradh trí cheol, ealaín, sorcas, scéalaíocht, scannána��ocht agus a thuilleadh.   Ag cur lena rath anuraidh, beidh imeachtaí oíche faoi stiúir na hóige ar siúl arís le haghaidh Cruinniú Déanach, le tacaíocht ón tionscnamh Geilleagar Oíche de chuid na Roinne, a chruthaigh daoine 13-18 mbliana d’aois agus é ceaptha dóibh, lena dtugtar cuireadh do dhaoine óga teacht chuig spásanna fáilteacha le haghaidh cruthaitheachta, caidrimh agus féinléiriú.   Tá breis eolais le fáil anseo: bit.ly/4fpGA4T 

Minister Patrick O’Donovan will host the National Famine Commemoration at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, Co. Galway today. Taoiseach Micheál Martin will officiate at the event and deliver the keynote address. This is the first time the State Commemoration has taken place in Galway. It will be broadcast live on the RTÉ News channel and will be available for replay on the RTÉ Player and on irishfamine.ie at a later date. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The National Famine Commemoration provides an important opportunity to reflect on one of the most profound and defining periods in our history. While the Famine represents immense loss and suffering, it also reminds us of the resilience of ordinary people and the enduring strength of community in times of hardship.” Minister O’Donovan said at the event: “It is an honour to host the 2026 National Famine Commemoration in the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, to remember all those who suffered due to the Great Irish Famine. I thank all those who attended this dignified and solemn event and acknowledge all those who made this event possible.” For full details see: https://lnkd.in/eCXqsCRB ____ Déanfaidh an tAire Patrick O’Donovan Cuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir a óstáil inniu in Ionad Theach na mBocht i bPort Omna, Co. na Gaillimhe. Is é an Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD a bheidh ina fhear an tí don ócáid, agus a thabharfaidh an eochairaitheasc. Is í seo an chéad uair a reáchtáladh an Cuimhneachán Stáit i nGaillimh. Craolfar an t-imeacht beo ar chainéal Nuacht RTÉ, agus beidh sé ar fáil ar Sheinnteoir RTÉ agus ar irishfamine.ie níos déanaí freisin. Dúirt an Taoiseach Micheál Martin an méid seo a leanas: “Is deis thábhachtach é Cuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar cheann de na tréimhsí is suntasaí agus is sonraí inár stair. “Ainneoin go samhlaítear caillteanas agus fulaingt ollmhór leis an nGorta Mór, meabhraítear dúinn freisin teacht aniar an ghnáthphobail agus láidreacht leanúnach an phobail i bhfianaise chruatan an tsaoil.” Dúirt an tAire O’Donovan ag an imeacht: “Is mór an onóir dom é Cuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir 2026 a reáchtáil in Ionad Theach na mBocht, Port Omna, chun cuimhneamh ar na daoine ar fad a d’fhulaing mar gheall ar an nGorta Mór in Éirinn. Is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na daoine ar fad a d’fhreastail ar an imeacht maorga sollúnta seo agus aitheantas a thabhairt freisin do na daoine ar fad a chabhraigh le heagrú an imeachta seo.” Sonraí anseo: https://lnkd.in/eQYGW_QR