Government funding announced for Cooley heritage project

Cooley Connect Well is to receive €14,750 in government funding under the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme 2024, to support a cultural project with significant cross-border elements.

It is one of 14 successful projects to receive funding, where the aim is to enhance, celebrate or commemorate the artistic, cultural, musical, film or heritage of the Island of Ireland on a North/South basis.

Applications were invited for projects that helped to promote: co-operation and joint initiatives between organisations and institutions on a North/South basis; cultural tourism on a North/South basis; or the provision of cultural outreach programmes on a North/South basis.

The project for which Cooley Connect Well is to receive funding has been described as follows: "The cultural farming and community heritage of the Mourne and Cooley Mountains reflects a deep connection to the land, a tradition of agricultural knowledge and practices, and a strong sense of community and stewardship.

"The project will explore and record the living memories of both communities, North and South, and how this shared heritage can inform future local initiatives on food security and rural community integration. Video best connects with the younger digital population."

Announcing the funding today, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said that: “the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme supports valuable projects with cultural elements on both sides of the border. It allows an exchange of ideas and brings communities together for a shared purpose. The scheme encourages individuals and groups to bond over a common interests while creating new talents and friendships along the way.

“Sharing our culture can have many benefits including building relationships & establishing trust, this in turn, can decrease fear and isolation and promote a sense of unity among communities."