More than 400 artistic projects, a €6.5 million investment in Irish culture and six months of exhibitions, concerts, performances and events across Europe. That is the ambitious vision and agenda behind Cultúr 2026: Sharing Ireland’s Culture, the official cultural programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Launched on June 18th by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD , Cultúr 2026 will provide support for Irish artists and arts organisations, bringing contemporary Irish creativity to audiences across Ireland and all 27 EU member states from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The programme was unveiled at a special launch event in Brussels featuring photographer Conor Horgan , artist and designer Richard Malone, actor Stephen Rea and musician Tolü Makay , offering a glimpse of the remarkable talent that will be showcased throughout the Presidency and the opportunities it creates for artists and audiences alike – and what this landmark programme means for Ireland’s cultural story on the European stage.
“With an opening event in Brussels to mark the start of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the programme will ensure that our European neighbours can join us in celebrating the remarkable wealth of artistic talent in Ireland today. My Department is supporting many Irish artists to present ambitious projects across Europe, and I look forward to announcing further details on this later this month, following the official launch of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.” (Patrick O’Donovan TD)
Cultúr 2026 celebrates the breadth and diversity of Irish artistic practice today through every art form, from visual arts, music, theatre and literature to film, design, dance and the Irish language, with exhibitions, festivals, performances, talks, workshops and community events. Alongside the domestic programme, Ireland’s Embassy and Consulate network will deliver an international cultural relations programme and strengthen Ireland’s cultural diplomacy through major artistic events and tours, commissioned world premieres, collaborations with leading Irish and European ensembles and broadcasters. Minister for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, Helen McEntee TD, and Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, have provided funding of €1.5m for this programming strand.
The Cultúr 2026 programme includes a dedicated series of Irish language events, celebrating the language through a wide range of cultural experiences, with a special exhibition on the Irish language at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Irish local authorities will host supported projects, bringing family-friendly and community events, tours, screenings, workshops and performances to audiences nationwide.
For more information and the full programme (still being updated), in English and Irish, visit irelandculture2026.eu.
(*) D’fhógair an tAire Patrick O’Donovan seoladh Chultúr 2026: Cultúr na hÉireann á Chomhroinnt an tseachtain seo, clár cultúir na hÉireann d’Uachtaránacht Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh, a chuirfidh €5 mhilliún ar fáil chun tacú le healaíontóirí agus le heagraíochtaí ealaíon na hÉireann. Tá clár cultúir leathan á chur ar fáil ag an roinn, trí Chultúr Éireann, agus san áireamh tá taispeántais, ceolchoirmeacha, cainteanna, léirithe agus imeachtaí ar fud na hÉireann agus i ngach ceann de 27 mBallstát an AE, agus níos faide i gcéin, le linn thréimhse na hUachtaránachta. Seolfar an clár i gcroílár na hEorpa le trí shaothar nua ar coimisiún sa Bhruiséil: suiteáil shuíomh-shonrach leis an ealaíontóir Éireannach Richard Malone i bhfoirgneamh Justus Lipsius, ceolchoirm oscailte i Flagey, agus taispeántas a chuirfidh Litríocht Éireann i láthair i bhfoirgneamh Pharlaimint na hEorpa. Ina dteannta sin, cuirfear clár méadaithe d’ealaíona na hÉireann ar siúl sa Centre Culturel Irlandais, Páras, chomh maith le Focus Irlande san amharclann cháiliúil Théâtre de la Ville, Páras.