Thirty-three grassroots music venues awarded €500,000 in new scheme

Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications and Sport, has announced the recipients of the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme (GMVSS) on June 12.

€500,000 will be divided between 33 venues across Ireland in an effort to support small, established grassroots music venues.

“Our grassroots music venues play a vital role in nurturing emerging musicians and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent," said Minister O'Donovan.

"It is very important that we recognise their contribution to the music industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face," the TD added.

The selected grant recipients have been afforded funding of up to €15,000 each to support venues showcasing emerging artists performing original music.

Out of the 33 venues selected for funding, 16 are outside of major cities.

After its announcement in March 2025, the pilot scheme attracted significant attention, with 96 applications received from late-night venues before the scheme was closed.

Recipients include The Grand Social in Dublin, Connolly's of Leap in Cork, and Limerick's Dolans, among others.

The eligibility criteria for funding included demonstrating evidence of regularly holding ticketed grassroots music events and platforming emerging artists performing original music over the years 2023 to 2024.

Minister O'Donovan said he looks "forward to seeing the diversity of genre and talent that will reach new audiences as a result of this funding over the months ahead."

The TD also encouraged "music lovers from across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue and support artists in the early stages of their careers.”

The Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme has been developed in consultation with representatives from the grassroots music industry, Live Venue Collective, Give Us The Night and the NTE Advisors. The full list of approved applicants is as follows:

Venue Name & Location

Arthurs Pub, Dublin 8

Bank Lane, Waterford City

Billy Byrne’s, Kilkenny City

Clearys Bar, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

Connolly's of Leap, Leap, Co. Cork

Coughlans Bar, Cork City

Dali, Cork City

DeBarra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Dolan's, Limerick City

Hen’s Teeth, Dublin 8

John Cleere's Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny City

John Lee's Bar, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Kenny's Bar, Lahinch, Co. Clare

Langton's Set Theatre, Kilkenny City

Levis’ Bar, Ballydehob, Co. Cork

McHugh’s Drogheda, Co. Louth

Mike the Pies, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Mo Chara Dundalk, Co. Louth

Pot Duggan's Ennistymon, Co. Clare

Róisín Dubh, Galway City

Sin é, Dublin 7

Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Tengu, Dublin 1

The Attic, Doolin, Co. Clare

The Bernard Shaw, Dublin 9

The Commercial Bar, Limerick City

The Cornerstone, Woodford, Co. Galway

The Grand Social, Dublin 1

The Lighthouse, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

The Soundhouse, Dublin 1

The White Horse, Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Wigwam, Dublin 1