SIX Donegal bands have been allocated grants totalling €9,000 through the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme.

Mullaghduff Band, Comhaltas Craobh Fhanada Fhanada and Manorcunnunigham Pipe Band will each receive €2,000, while St Catherine’s Accordion Band, St Cartha’s Band and Arranmore Pipe Band will each get a funding allocation of €1,000.

Welcoming the announcement made by the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said: “The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme provides a small cash grant to support music education and music initiatives to support and cultivate the talent of young musicians. Donegal is well known for its pipe bands and marching bands and it’s good to see six of our bands receiving some financial assistance.”

“These small grants can help our local bands maintain their musical quality. Funding that supports their activities and performances can have a positive economic impact on their communities,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy added.