Louth’s grassroots venues welcome new €1 million scheme as young cultural wave builds across the county.
Louth County Council encourages music and comedy venues across Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee, Carlingford and beyond to apply for a new €1 million national scheme to support Ireland’s grassroots venues. The Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme 2026 (GVSS) was launched last week by Minister Patrick O’Donovan.
The scheme supports programming of live music or comedy, PR and advertising costs, equipment hire, production and crew fees, and other essential costs. Crucially all artists and crew must be paid for their work. Venues can receive grants of up to €20,000 for established venues (Stream A, €800k fund), or up to €8,000 for emerging venues (Stream B, €200k fund).
Last year, three Louth venues: Mo Chara (Dundalk), McHugh’s (Drogheda), and The Spirit Store (Dundalk) tapped into the pilot round of the scheme, each using it to give young talent the space to belong, experiment, and grow.
Commenting on the benefits of the scheme Alan Cooney said:
“This scheme has been great for us. It gives the next generation — the young promoters as well as the new acts — space to belong and somewhere to grow. McHugh’s has always been about giving young people a shot and letting them have a say in how the culture develops around them. That’s how a scene builds.
Everyone needs to work together now more than ever, and this support helps us do that. It’s also good to see comedy included this time, another welcome step. Hopefully more venues will take part so we can all build something strong together.”
Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser for Louth, said the county is at a turning point:
“Louth’s venues have always punched above their weight. What we’re seeing now is the start of a young cultural wave — new promoters, new acts, new ideas, and a community that’s hungry for it.
This scheme gives them oxygen. It gives them room to try things, take risks, and shape a culture that belongs to them. If more venues step in this year, we could see the beginning of a real youth culture renaissance across the county.”
For further information and support with applications contact Louth’s Night-Time Economy Advisor at nighttimeeconomy@louthcoco.ie.
The deadline for applications is 12noon on Monday, 30 March 2026.
