Minister Foley announces 25 successful recipients of grants under Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 10 May 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister for Education Norma Foley today (10 May) announced the successful 25 organisations who will receive a grant under her department’s Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2024.
The Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary scheme provides a means, by way of a cash grant, to support music education and music initiatives to continue to cultivate the talent of our young musicians.
These organisations, groups and individuals provide access to a variety of music education experiences for young people and children.
In February of this year, the Department of Education invited applications for grants under the scheme. The total budget available in 2024 is €100,000. A full list of the successful recipients is provided below.
Minister Foley said:
“I am very pleased that we can offer this bursary which will help nurture our talented young musicians, supporting many wonderful music initiatives across the country. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the commitment of the organisations and the many volunteers who give their time and skills to work with young musicians, providing them with valuable opportunities to explore their full potential.”
Some of the recipients included:
St. Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts CLG (CCMA), Crumlin, Dublin 12: Bursary award €29,000.
St. Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts was established in November 2013 by Sr Bernadette Sweeney. It provides access to music tuition and group classes on an inclusive basis to all young members of the Crumlin community five days per week. It currently caters for 669 children and young people per week, includes a class for 8 autistic children, caters for new members of society and displaced individuals. In addition to weekly tuition, they host an annual pantomime and musical, as well as a summer camp for children.
Athy Sing and Sign Club, County Kildare: Bursary Award €4,000.
Athy Sing and Sign Club is a community group that teaches ISL in a fun and friendly learning environment through music and creativity. They currently have 80 members. The club is dedicated to providing unique music translation workshops for who are hearing impaired, deaf or hard of hearing. They translate different genres of songs into Irish Sign Language and extend music programme by offering workshops and performances. With the bursary they hope to hire ISL consultant to ensure accuracy of ISL translations, to purchase new equipment and reach more students from the deaf community.
Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola (Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band) Falcarragh, County Donegal: Bursary Award €2,000
Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola (Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band) Falcarragh, County Donegal was established in 1983. The junior band has five tutors and 42 members who are under 18 years and perform both contemporary and traditional music. The bursary will ensure they can grow and continue to give local children the best possible music education.
Notes
Criteria used for evaluation of applications
A well-established track record in music education provision of greater than three years.
Service provision in the area of non-mainstream music education/community music.
Delivery of non-mainstream music education for young people aged 18 years and younger.
Strong learning outcomes for participants.
Preference was also given to those organisations/groups who can demonstrate that they cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
Full list of recipients
| Amount | Recipient | County |
| €29,000 | St. Agnes’ Community Centre, Crumlin | Dublin |
| €14,000 | Whitefriar Street String Project | Dublin |
| €4,000 | Musica Fusion Community Orchestra | Cork |
| €4,000 | Athy Sing and Sign | Kildare |
| €4,000 | CCE Gorey Ballygarrett | Wexford |
| €3,000 | Sandyford Youth Band | Dublin |
| €3,000 | Finglas Concert and Marching Band | Dublin |
| €3,000 | Bofield CCE | Mayo |
| €3,000 | Dublin Choral Foundation | Dublin |
| €3,000 | Clonmel Youth Marching & Concert Band | Tipperary |
| €2,500 | Clarecastle CCE | Clare |
| €2,000 | Wicklow Miners CCE | Wicklow |
| €2,000 | Ceol na Locha | Mayo |
| €2,000 | Cullen Pipe Band | Cork |
| €2,000 | Loughmore CCE | Tipperary |
| €2,000 | Craobh Osraí CCE Kilkenny | Kilkenny |
| €2,000 | Listowel Duagh CCE | Kerry |
| €2,000 | Anne Devlin CCE | Wicklow |
| €2,000 | Craobh Caiseal Mumhan | Tipperary |
| €2,000 | Tralee Pipes and Drums (St. John’s Pipe Band) | Kerry |
| €2,000 | Cloughaneely Junior Band | Donegal |
| €2,000 | Scoil Acla | Mayo |
| €2,000 | Tigh na Coille | Clare |
| €2,000 | Danecastle Music Group | Wexford |
| €1,500 | Music and Health Ireland CLG | Meath |