Heritage Council Welcomes €5m Shared Island Fund Announcement
The Heritage Council today welcomes the announcement of a significant allocation of €5 million from the Government’s Shared Island Fund to develop and strengthen the local and all-island heritage dimensions of the Shared Home Place programme.
This funding, overseen by James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will build upon the Council’s existing work to foster greater connections and active engagement with heritage and culture across the island of Ireland.
The investment will empower local libraries, museums, archives and galleries north and south to promote public participation on Shared Home Place themes. Facilitated by Local Authority Heritage Officers, the Heritage Council and Northern Ireland partners, this programming will deepen the understanding of our shared heritage and culture at a community level across the island.
A key part of the funding will establish a small grants fund to support grassroots heritage projects including cross-border initiatives. The Heritage Council will also develop mentorship and peer exchange programmes for heritage professionals north and south, alongside launching an annual all-island awards ceremony that recognises excellence in local heritage practice.
This funding also enables the creation of an all-island Local Government Heritage Network. This new network will facilitate cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing among local authorities, supported initially by a Shared Home Place seed fund to back relevant local projects.
The Heritage Council will also explore options in 2026 for a Shared Home Place themed schools-engagement programme, ensuring the next generation will be connected to and inspired by their island’s rich heritage.
Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council, said: “This generous allocation from the Shared Island Fund underscores the Government’s commitment to nurturing a shared cultural future for everyone on this island. By supporting local heritage bodies and fostering north-south collaboration, we can create a vibrant and inclusive platform for communities to actively engage with their heritage.”
Dr Martina Moloney, Chairperson of the Heritage Council, said: “The €5 million allocation represents a transformative opportunity to deepen our collective engagement with heritage on an all-island basis. This funding will enable the Heritage Council to work collaboratively with local authorities, communities and cultural institutions across the island to celebrate preserve our rich, shared heritage.”
The Heritage Council extends its sincere thanks to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, the Shared Home Place Team in the Department of An Taoiseach and all those involved in the Shared Island Initiative for their vision. This transformative funding will stimulate heritage-led economic and cultural development while strengthening bonds across communities for generations to come.