Fingal Arts Office launches new Creative Places Balbriggan Strategy and Funding Scheme

Fingal Arts Office has officially launched the Creative Places Balbriggan Strategy 2026-2027, together with a brand new funding scheme for Balbriggan called “Making Waves”.

Creative Places Balbriggan is an Arts Council funded project which aims to make the arts more accessible within the community through increased engagement in socially engaged, community-led creative activities. The Making Waves seed funding scheme will support community groups to work with artists to start developing artistic skills and to participate in creative activities through collaboration. 

The new strategy focuses on three main pillars of work in the Balbriggan community: Creative Youth, Creative Industry and Climate Action.

Speaking at the launch of the strategy at The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tom O’ Leary said “I am delighted to launch the Creative Places Balbriggan Strategy 2026-27. Balbriggan has a vibrant and burgeoning arts scene, as we can see from this magnificent venue, The Lark. With the two-year strategy in place, the stage is now set for more creative opportunities for the local community through the Making Waves Seed Funding scheme. I am particularly glad to see Creative Youth as the main pillar of the work going forward, given Balbriggan is the youngest large town in Ireland with approximately one third of its 24,0000 population under the age of 18. Many of these young people will have the opportunity to develop their creative skills and interests through the Creative Places Balbriggan Project.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said “I greatly welcome the new Creative Places Balbriggan Strategy 2026-2027 and the Making Waves Seed Funding scheme. Together with the updated Arts Office plan, new public arts projects in Balbriggan, and the planned studio places at  2-4 Dublin Street. I look forward to seeing Balbriggan develop as a major hub for the arts and creativity in Fingal. The strategic pillars of Creative Youth and Creative Industry align with Our Balbriggan strategy pillars in community development and economic development. The creative focus on Climate Action as a pillar will also be greatly complimented by Balbriggan being the designated Decarbonising Zone in Fingal. The Making Waves Fund will seed fund opportunities within the community to get them creatively involved in these developments.”

The Making Waves Seed Funding Scheme 2026 will provide seed funding for creative programmes that involve community members working collaboratively with an artist to develop new ideas and creative activities. The fund is now open to individual artists, community groups, and community organisations based in Balbriggan. It is also open to any artists outside Balbriggan who are willing to work with a group from the Balbriggan community.

Funding of up to €5,000 per applicant is available. Application will be open from Tuesday, 5 May until Friday, 26 June.

Interested applicants can contact Creative Places Balbriggan coordinator Cormac McDonagh for further information on 087 7141691 or  For more information, please read the funding guidelines and strategy here: https://www.fingal.ie/creative-places-balbriggan