Via The Journal Of Music: The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, has announced a new €500,000 Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme. The scheme, launched today (31 March) at Cleary’s music venue in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, aims to support small music venues that regularly programme emerging artists.
Under the scheme, eligible venues can apply for grants of between €5,000 and €15,000 to fund a series of events. The concerts must feature artists performing original material they have written or created themselves.
Applications are assessed on a first come, first served basis. The scheme is open from now until 12pm on 15 May 2025 or until the fund is exhausted. Only one application may be submitted per venue.
Minister @podonovan has announced a new Night-Time Economy Support Scheme of €500,000 for Grassroots Music Venues. Applications now open.
— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCultureIRL) March 31, 2025
D'fhógair an tAire @podonovan Scéim Tacaíochta nua €500,000 um Gheilleagar Oíche d'ionaid cheoil phobail inniu.https://t.co/OEEi6nc2pG pic.twitter.com/Go4JDbO0fR
To qualify, venues must have a capacity of 500 or less, and have a two-year track record (2023–2024) of programming grassroots music events.
Funding may be used towards artist fees, crew and production costs, PR and advertising, ticketing, security, insurance, or other suitable costs. Venues can avail of funding for up to 75% of expenses, with the remaining 25% to be covered by the venue. Events must take place before 31 October 2025.
Ineligible applicants include hotel bars, sporting venues, educational institutions, publicly funded venues and private residences.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Donovan said:
"Grassroots music venues are an integral part of the music ecosystem in Ireland and are vital to our communities. I want to support these venues so they can give opportunities to new and emerging artists and give them spaces to perform, develop their skills, and build their audiences. Many of the big acts that we see today in large arenas started their careers performing in grassroots venues, so it is important that we support these venues to allow them to continue to provide these much-needed opportunities for up-and-coming musicians and DJs."
The Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme is a pilot initiative developed in consultation with the Live Venue Collective, Give Us The Night, and the Night-Time Economy Advisors.
For full details and to apply, see here, and read more from The Journal Of Music here.
