Louth County Museum secures funding for after-hours cultural events
Louth County Museum in Dundalk has been awarded €2,850
Louth County Museum in Dundalk is set to welcome visitors after hours thanks to new Government funding aimed at boosting Ireland’s night-time cultural offering.
The museum has been awarded €2,850 under the Department of Culture's new "After Hours at the Museum" scheme, which supports museums and galleries in extending their opening hours and hosting evening events. The initiative forms part of a nationwide effort to broaden public access to cultural spaces while contributing to the growth of a vibrant night-time economy.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan said museums and galleries play a vital role as cultural and social hubs within communities, adding that the investment will help attract new audiences and encourage greater participation in cultural activities outside traditional opening hours.
Commenting on the scheme, Minister O’Donovan said:
“Museums and galleries are the cornerstones of our cultural life and are important social hubs in our communities. This investment will help broaden access, welcome new audiences and will ensure that our museums and galleries play a pivotal role in the growth and development of an inclusive and diverse Night-Time Economy across the country.”
The funding of €423k announced today will support 47 organisations across the country to open later and programme events until at least 9pm.
Members of the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI), Contemporary Art Gallery Association (CAGA) and the Irish Museum Association were eligible to apply for up to €8,000 in funding to host later evening and night events.