Following his appointment to the role last week, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan has announced €1.5 million in funding for the global promotion of Irish arts.

This funding will be given through Culture Ireland’s Regular Grants Programme, benefiting 192 projects across 34 countries. The grants will cover circus, dance, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts.

“As the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, it gives me great pleasure to announce this round of Culture Ireland funding of over €1.5m, the highest single grant round in the history of the organisation now celebrating its twentieth year,” said O’Donovan.

Over 50 international tours will be supported using the grant, covering a range of musicians and genres. In Australia, Clare Sands, and Sorcha Richardson are some of the artists to benefit. Nerve, St Bishop, and Brigid Mae Power in Britain are also listed to receive grants.

Grants from Culture Ireland will also support The Mary Wallopers in the USA, Eleanor Shanley and John Feeley in Denmark, Lisa Canny Band in Spain, and many more.

"Over the past 20 years Culture Ireland has supported thousands of Irish artists to develop their international careers with funding of over €84m provided in total," said O'Donovan. "In 2024 alone, Culture Ireland supported over 5,500 individuals to present their work in over 50 countries to audiences in excess of 6.7m people."

Information on the grants and how to apply can be found on Culture Ireland's website.