The Ireland we want is built by artists, and they need income

The public consultation on the Basic Income for the Arts is open now. This survey is a chance to say: I value culture. I value the creators, writes Tara Prendergast

Les Girafes - An Animal Operetta from Compagnie during the closing event for this year's Cork Midsummer Festival. 'Without artists, our culture fades — along with our identity, tourism, and wellbeing.' Picture: Clare Keogh

On a summer night in Cork City music spills from Coughlan’s, crowds gather for the Midsummer Festival, and the hum of a guitar drifts from the doorway of a local pub. This isn’t just noise—it’s the pulse of a city, a country alive. 

From the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival to the Galway International Arts Festival, Wexford Opera to Electric Picnic, Ireland’s culture beats at the heart of our identity. It draws tourists, fills venues, and creates moments we cherish.