Limerick Council to receive €15k grant to support community-led commemorative initiatives

LIMERICK City and County Council has been awarded €15,000 in government funding to support local commemorative events in 2025, as part of a nationwide initiative announced by Minister Patrick O’Donovan.

“We are an open-minded and forward focused community, but now more than ever it’s important to reflect on our history, things that happened locally that impacted on people, and are important to commemorate," said Minister O'Donovan. "Suppose we don’t keep these memories of our shared history alive. In that case, they risk being lost forever, so we mustn’t forget to remember - we owe it to our ancestors and future generations too."

“This funding announcement from my Department, the Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, is about ensuring Limerick City and County has this funding in place to develop and support community-led commemorative initiatives to mark the centenaries of locally significant historical events that took place here in 1924”, added the Limerick Cabinet Minister.

The funding may also be used to mark other significant anniversaries and associated themes. This year €5,000 from this overall allocation is provided to support artistic and creative initiatives.    

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The Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport has developed comprehensive guidance to assist Local Authorities in developing their commemorative initiatives for 2025 and in the submission of grant claims – and they have a Cultural Institutions and Commemorations Unit if Local Authorities have queries about how to apply.

Not just Limerick, but Local Authorities right across the country will benefit from this fund, the Minister for Arts, Mr O’Donovan said.

“I am delighted to announce grant funding for Local Authorities to support commemorative activities this year. It is my hope that the commemorative funding for 2025 will continue to facilitate the creation of opportunities for all our communities to consider and explore the formative events of our past, in all of their complexity, within a respectful and supportive environment.”

“I look forward to continuing the partnership approach with Local Authorities and local communities, and I wish them well in their commemorative plans for 2025. Last year was a transitional year for commemorations following the completion of the Decade of Centenaries Programme in December 2023. We continued to mark historical events and themes using the structure and ethos established by the Decade of Centenaries Programme.”

Minister O’Donovan has written to all Local Authorities, notifying them of this funding award for 2025. He thanked the Local Authority staff, particularly their Commemorations Co-ordinators, for their continued engagement and for the sensitivity and thoughtful leadership they have provided in their approach to commemorations.

Local Authorities have always been key stakeholders in the delivery of commemorative events. Every Local Authority determines what is appropriate for their local area, in light of local history, experience, and expertise.

The principles and guidance set out by the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations will continue to support and guide the State’s approach to commemorations.