The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon

A group of six people standing together on a stage with soft stage lighting above. They are dressed in formal and semi-formal attire, with expressions of attentiveness and slight smiles.

The latest edition of our monthly newsletter is out now, with updates on funding opportunities and news from the arts sector: https://mailchi.mp/artscouncil/march2026

Sign up to receive future editions of the newsletter by email each month: https://mailchi.mp/artscouncil.ie/signup

We just had www.conceptnull.org at #DHUCC delivering intro workshops to TouchDesigner and ESP32. It was an absolute blast with an inspiring group of artists. Thanks to Scott & Walt for all their hard work @artscouncilireland.bsky.social for supporting and Emer Yip for organising & facilitating.

We're currently inviting expressions of interest from artists and arts professionals who are interested in being part of our peer panels.

Deadline: Tue 3 Feb, 5:30pm.

Find full details of how to submit an expression of interest on our website: https://bit.ly/45H5rvp

Text on a light pink / purple graphic reads: "Four Nations International Fund Support for international collaboration and exchange. Applications now open. Apply by 2pm, Wednesday 25 February 2026."

The Four Nations International Fund is now open for applications – supported by Arts Council England, @artscouncilireland.bsky.social, @celfcymruartswales.bsky.social / Wales Arts International and @creativescots.bsky.social.

Learn more and apply 👇
buff.ly/sVmAAO0

#opportunity Beside Performing Arts Forum Logo

💡 #opportunity
👉 NOW OPEN: Theatre Sector Consultation Registration @artscouncilireland.bsky.social
🗣The consultations will take place in Limerick, Dublin, Sligo & Cork. You can register your interest for one in-person event⤵️

📋 www.performingartsforum.ie/opportunity/...
⏰Closing Wednesday 11 Feb

A performer dressed in a sporty outfit raises their arms on a brightly lit stage at an outdoors live event, with a crowd watching on and blue lights casting dramatic shadows.

📢 We are inviting expressions of interest from artists & arts professionals interested in being part of our peer panels, which play a key role in decisions on funding applications.

Deadline: 5:30pm, Tues 3 Feb

Read more: https://bit.ly/45H5rvp

📷: Light-Sensitive Photography

A portrait of writer Éilís Ní Dhuibhne. She wears a white jacket, glasses and necklace and is seated in an indoor setting.

Tune in to 'Today with David McCullagh' on @rteradio1.bsky.social to hear Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne looking ahead to her exciting public programme, including The Island of Imagination: A Literary Tour of Ireland.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/

Agus 2025 ag druidim chun críche, déanaimis ceiliúradh ar an obair iontach go léir a rinneadh agus caithimis súil chun cinn ar na deiseanna nua a bheidh ann in 2026.

As 2025 comes to a close, we celebrate all the great work done and look towards the new beginnings of 2026.

Thank you to everyone in the arts sector for bringing audiences all over Ireland wonderful experiences, reflections and joy.

A group of people dancing on a stage.

Dance funding info clinic!

For dance practitioners and producers planning to apply for awards over the course of 2026.

30 January at 11AM

Register: https://bit.ly/49iP2iU

This week’s #ReadWithAC📚 selection is ‘Pure Winter: A Christmas Short Story’ by Kevin Barry.

We’re very proud to have supported Kevin’s work through our Bursary, Project and Touring awards.

Published by @irishtimes.com

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Q9yT48

Celebrating Irish Women Writers

As part of Brigit Festival 2026, join us for a conversation with Ireland's three literature laureates.

Brought to you by the Arts Council and @dublincityoflit.bsky.social.

Tickets are free but booking is essential.

More info: https://bit.ly/44BNDS1

VISUAL ARTS INFO CLINIC

Applying for our Visual Arts Bursary Award?

Don’t miss our upcoming info clinic on 29 January.

Register: https://bit.ly/48Jzeph

Don’t miss our Theatre Bursary Award info clinic!

For independent theatre artists and organisations interested in applying for funding.

The window for applications will open Tuesday 6 January.

Register for info session: https://bit.ly/3MHQdzI

Earlier this week, we were delighted to welcome William Tierney, husband of the UK Ambassador to Ireland, to our offices in Merrion Square.

William joined our Interim Director Moling Ryan and members of our team to discuss the shared development and promotion of the arts across Ireland and the UK.

A blue background with an image of a woman playing the violin in the centre. Text reads: Information Clinic. Music Bursary Round 1 2026. 20 January at 14:00pm.

Applying for a Music Bursary Award?

Don’t miss our upcoming info clinic on 20 January!

The window for award applications will open Tuesday 6 January and the deadline is Thursday 12 February at 5.30pm.

Register for info session: https://bit.ly/4s2nNAw

Applying for film funding?

Don’t miss our upcoming info clinic! Hosted aemi, the event will give insight into the Arts Council’s funding opportunities for film artists.

15 January at 11am

Register: https://bit.ly/3MCqgl8

Celebrating 40 years of partnership between the Arts Council and local government YouTube video by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon

This year, we're proud to celebrate 40 years of partnership between the Arts Council & Ireland's 31 local authorities.

We recently welcomed Minister Patrick O'Donovan @deptcultureirl.bsky.social to Limerick City Gallery to mark the occasion with @localgovire.bsky.social reps.

youtu.be/mFslCQESMF4

Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha

Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha @laoighseach.bsky.social has been announced as the Arts Council @artscouncilireland.bsky.social Scríbhneoir Cónaithe Gaeilge at DCU.
The position, jointly funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City University, will begin in January 2026.
Read more: launch.dcu.ie/3XQfie8

A white security badge on a green lanyard.

Reconnect this upcoming Monday!

Head along to @MindingCreative's monthly Meet & Greet session.

Share your experience, your stories and connect with other creatives.

Register here: https://mindingcreativeminds.ie/events/meet-greet-dec-15th/

Colin Barrett

Booker Prize longlisted author Colin Barrett @colinbarrett.bsky.social has been announced as the Arts Council @artscouncilireland.bsky.social English-language Writer in Residence at DCU.
The position, jointly funded by the Arts Council and DCU, will begin in January 2026.
Read: launch.dcu.ie/4pvMpQL

Oisín Fagan announced as UCD Writer in Residence for 2026

💙💛 Many congratulations and a warm welcome to Oisín Fagan, who has been named by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon as UCD’s Writer in Residence for 2026.

@artscouncilireland.bsky.social

www.ucd.ie/newsandopini...

Tá áthas orainn a fhógairt gur ceapadh @laoighseach.bsky.social mar Scríbhneoir Cónaithe Gaeilge na Comhairle Ealaíon in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath 2026.

artscouncil.ie/ga/nuacht/ea...

@dublincityuni.bsky.social

Promotional poster for the Arts Council Artists in Residence 2026, featuring a collage of eleven diverse headshots of the participating artists, set against a plain and colorful background. The Arts Council logo is visible at the bottom right.

We're delighted to announce the Arts Council Artists in Residence 2026.

Jointly funded with partner universities, the residencies help embed creativity in third-level education and provide artists with support to develop their work.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4puMJz9

An image of the front cover of Clockhammer, a new poetry collection by writer Paul Perry.

This week's #ReadWithAC selection is 'Clockhammer', a new poetry collection by @paulperrywriter.bsky.social.

We're very proud to have supported Paul's writing career through our Bursary Award.

Published by #ArtsCouncilSupported Doire Press.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4oLdTk6

A photo of two dancers performing on a dimly lit stage, mirroring each other's movements

We're pleased to share a schedule of funding opportunities for 2026: https://artscouncil.ie/news/2026-funding-schedule/

We will work to maintain stability and continuity in our funding and sector supports in 2026 and prioritise our support of arts organisational infrastructure.

📷: Maurice Gunning