Minister Patrick O’Donovan announces Cultúr 2026, the culture programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Published on: 17 June 2026
- Last updated on: 17 June 2026
The Minister of Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D. today announced Cultúr 2026: Sharing Ireland’s Culture, Ireland’s culture programme for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union which will provide €5m in supports to Irish artists and arts organisations.
The Presidency offers a unique opportunity for Ireland in the European Union to showcase the best of Irish arts and culture, both traditional and contemporary. To mark the occasion, Minister O’Donovan’s Department through Culture Ireland is presenting an expansive culture programme which will ensure that Irish citizens can participate in this occasion and reflect on Ireland’s role in the EU.
Cultúr 2026 celebrates the wealth of talent among Irish artists working today and aims to share this richness with audiences in Ireland and Europe. Featuring exhibitions, concerts, talks, performances and events that represent myriad artforms, the programme will unfold throughout Ireland and across all 27 EU member states and beyond, for the duration of the Presidency. Cultúr 2026 reflects a living culture; one shaped through creativity, collaboration, and exchange.
Three new commissions in Brussels will herald the programme in the heart of Europe: a site-specific installation by Irish artist Richard Malone at the Justus Lipsius building, an opening concert at Flagey and an exhibition presented by Literature Ireland in the European Parliament building. These will be accompanied by an expanded programme of Irish arts at the Centre Culturel d’Irlandais, Paris and a Focus Irlande at the historic Théâtre de la Ville, Paris.
Cultúr 2026 will present new exhibitions, concerts, talks and public programmes at the National Cultural Institutions as well as festivals throughout Ireland, with events taking place in each of the 26 counties. A number of programmes will be supported in each local authority in the country, encompassing a diverse array of family-friendly and community events, tours, screenings and workshops. Dedicated Irish language events will also be a feature of Cultúr 2026 both across Ireland and Europe to showcase the best Irish language artists working today. A national presentation of Cotter & Naessens Architects’ Venice Biennale exhibition, Assembly will take place at the iconic Busáras building in Dublin.
Cultúr 2026 is complemented by a cultural relations programme of events presented by Ireland’s Embassy and Consulate network across Europe and beyond. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, 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. Delivered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this programme will enhance Ireland’s cultural relations and cultural diplomacy and will include a series of keynote artistic events and tours across Europe, a number of commissioned world premieres, partnerships with leading Irish and European ensembles and broadcasters, and an exhibition on the Irish language at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The combined cultural programmes represent a €6.5m investment in uplifting Irish artists, makers and creators at a defining moment for the country.
Speaking today, Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:
“I am delighted to announce Ireland’s culture programme for the Presidency, which represents an additional €5m investment by my Department in arts and culture, with over half of this dedicated to projects in Ireland. This programme will see an expansion of cultural activity in every county in the country and will raise the profile of Irish artists throughout Europe. This is a great moment to celebrate Irish culture, and I am proud that the benefits of this programme will reach audiences across Ireland.”
ENDS
Notes for Editor
- Cultúr2026: Sharing Ireland’s Culture is Ireland’s culture programme for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, running from 1 July to 31 December 2026.
- Launched in June 2026 by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, Cultúr 2026 will provide €5m in supports to Irish artists and arts organisations, with 400+ projects supported.
- Cultúr 2026 is complemented by a cultural relations programme of events presented by Ireland’s Embassy and Consulate network across Europe and beyond. The combined cultural programmes represent a €6.5m investment in Irish arts and culture.
- The programmes encompass myriad artforms, with a diverse array of exhibitions, concerts, festivals, Irish language projects, family-friendly and community events, talks and workshops.
- The programme takes place in all 26 counties and across all 27 EU member states.
- Further information on the programme can be found at https://www.irelandculture2026.eu/