DONEGAL County Council has announced the recipients of the 2026 Culture and Creativity Project Awards, funding a wide range of creative, cultural and heritage projects across the county this year.
The awards, delivered through the council’s Culture & Creativity Team as part of the Creative Communities Programme, provide €2,000 per project to support community-focused cultural activity. The scheme is funded by Creative Ireland in partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
A total of 25 projects have been selected for 2026 following an open call that attracted 79 applications, reflecting strong interest in creative engagement across the county.
The successful projects span Inishowen, Fanad, west and south Donegal, the Letterkenny area, Gaeltacht communities and the islands, with support reaching urban, rural and coastal communities.
All funded initiatives centre on community engagement, bringing together local groups, artists, heritage practitioners and cultural professionals.
Local participants enjoying a moment at the Botanical Buncrana workshops.
Maureen Kerr, county librarian, culture division manager and Creative Ireland’s Donegal co-ordinator, welcomed the range and quality of applications received this year, saying the programme continues to support locally rooted ideas that respond to community needs.
“These awards continue to demonstrate the depth of creativity and community spirit that exists across County Donegal,” she said. “The Culture and Creativity Project Awards play a vital role in enabling people and communities to connect through culture, heritage and creativity, and I congratulate all of the 2026 recipients on their success.”
Further details on the 2026 recipients are available on the Donegal County Council website at www.donegalculture.ie.
The council continues to support cultural participation and creative expression across Donegal through the Creative Ireland programme and its commitment to community-led culture and creativity.