The governments of Ireland and the UK have announced €5 million in funding for twelve cultural projects under the UK-Ireland Cultural Co-Operation Programme. This initiative fulfills a commitment made at the 2025 UK-Ireland Summit to establish a strategic partnership between leading cultural institutions in both countries. The projects, which will run from 2026 to 2030, cover various areas such as theatre, music, disability access, archival research, joint exhibitions, and professional exchange.
One key project includes a co-production between Ireland’s Abbey Theatre and the National Theatre in London, starring Paul Mescal in A Whistle in the Dark, which explores the struggles of Irish immigrants in 1960s Coventry. Another project is the development of the ‘All-In’ access scheme, which aims to make theatres, museums, and cultural spaces more accessible for deaf people, those with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals. Additionally, the National Archives of Ireland and the UK will collaborate on a research programme focused on shared historical aspects between the two nations, while the National Museum of Ireland and its counterparts in the UK will work on cataloguing and researching collections with global provenance.
Other funded projects include youth choral exchanges and orchestral performances involving the National Concert Hall and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, as well as a major folk music initiative involving the Barbican and Moving On Music Belfast. These projects reflect both governments’ desire to deepen cultural ties, foster inclusion, and create lasting opportunities for professional development across artistic fields.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer both expressed their commitment to enhancing cultural co-operation, with Martin highlighting the opportunity for leading institutions to share creativity and expertise. Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan and Minister for Creative Industries Ian Murray also emphasized the importance of inclusion and the potential for these projects to enrich the cultural experiences of communities on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The funding is part of a broader strategy for 2026-2030 that aims to strengthen professional exchange, joint programming, and research between cultural institutions. With a total commitment of €6 million from the Government of Ireland, this initiative underscores the long-term partnership between Ireland and the UK to promote shared culture and heritage through collaborative efforts in the arts.
