Ten Cork music venues among 60 nationwide to get Government funds to nurture local talent

Other notable venues to get between €5,000 and €20,000 are Dolans, the Commercial Bar and Wickham Way in Limerick city, and Bank Lane and the Reg in Waterford city

Edel Curtin: 'This is not just vital financial help for our venues; it is also an acknowledgement of the essential role our stages play in the development of Irish artists.' Picture: Larry Cummins

Ten Cork venues have been selected as recipients of a €1m Government scheme to support grassroots music venues across the country, and showcase emerging Irish talent.

In amounts ranging from €5,000 to €20,000, each of the venues has been given funding to put on events of artists performing material they have written or created themselves. As well as musicians, venues platforming Irish comedy and comedians have also received funding this year.

“We greatly welcome the announcement of the grantees under the Grassroots Venue Support Scheme 2026,” said Edel Curtin of Coughlan’s in Cork, speaking on behalf of the Live Venue Collective.

“This is not just vital financial help for our venues; it is also an acknowledgement of the essential role our stages play in the development of Irish artists. There is a long challenging road ahead in keeping our grassroots venues open and functioning and this support is a step in the right direction.” 

As well as Coughlan’s, other recipients in Cork included Cyprus Avenue in the city, Prim’s Bookshop in Kinsale, Connolly’s of Leap, The White Horse in Ballincollig, Levis Bar in Ballydehob, De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, Arundels by the Pier in Ahakista, The Maritime Hotel (Live by the Bay) in Bantry and Paddy Mac’s Bar and Lounge in Coachford.

In all, 16 of the venues chosen were in Dublin while other notable ones chosen included Dolans, the Commercial Bar and Wickham Way in Limerick city, and Bank Lane and the Reg in Waterford city.

The 60 venues chosen for support under the scheme this year follows from 34 chosen for the pilot scheme last year. Of the 60 recipients, 28 are outside major cities with venues in rural towns and villages also being supported.

A statement from the Department of Culture said it is hoped 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.

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However, the scheme has recently faced criticism from Siptu as falling “drastically short of the investment required” to stabilise the sector and protect workers’ livelihoods, while adding the sector has been in "freefall" since covid.

“While we welcome the support for venues, the Government must address the wider issues of low pay and instability that define the night-time economy,” Siptu hospitality sector organiser Áine Feeney said.