KILDARE: New Brigid 1500 grant scheme due soon

Kildare County Council (KCC) will be launching another community and cultural grant scheme later in 2023 as part of the Brigid 1500 programme.

The announcement was made at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which was held on Thursday, April 6 last.

Specifically, KCC made reference to this new grant in response to a question put forward by Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy.

He asked KCC: "Can the council outline how it will engage with groups and organisations in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District on the opportunities to mark the Brigid 1500 anniversary ahead of 2024?"

In response to Cllr McEvoy's query, KCC said: "As part of the Brigid 1500 programme, two grant schemes were launched late in 2022 for artists and community groups across the county.

"A total of 45 grants have been assessed with an allocated budget of €260,000."

KCC continued: "The standard of the projects submitted was extremely high and diverse.

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“This is a pipeline of developmental projects throughout the next two years and beyond and the project team are closely engaged with these groups.

"The Brigid 1500 programme will be launching another community and cultural grant scheme later in 2023, in advance of our key date which is February 1, 2024."

The council further explained that the grant scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to voluntary community groups and artists, in the planning, organisation, and the roll-out of activities, events or projects which encourage local community participation in the Brigid 1500 celebrations.

KCC added: "A schools programme is currently being developed which builds on the highly successful resource pack distributed to schools in February 2023, and will focus on themes such as biodiversity, heritage and cultural expression.

"The project team is investigating the development of a network of pilgrim walkways throughout the county and will engage with local groups as part of this process."

In addition, the council said: "A series of concerts and cultural events are being planned for early 2024 in each municipal district and the project team will engage with local groups as part of the planning for these event."