Deputy Erin McGreehan Welcomes Funding for Drogheda Indian Association, TradLABS, and Thomas D’Arcy McGee Community Festivals
Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed new funding for two community festivals in Louth under the 2025 Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme.
Drogheda Indian Association has been awarded €4,350, TradLABS festival received €5,000 and the Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School will receive €5,000. The funding comes as part of a national allocation of €293,252 announced by the Department for Culture, Communications and Sport to support 64 local events around the country.
Deputy McGreehan said he was delighted to see both festivals recognised for the important role they play in local life.
“This is great news for these communities across Louth. These festivals bring people together, support local culture, and create opportunities for families and neighbours to enjoy something special on their own doorstep. I’m especially pleased to see the hard work of volunteers behind these events being supported.”
The Drogheda Indian Festival aims to provide a platform for individuals of all ages to actively engage in arts and culture, promoting inclusivity and community bonding. There will be traditional and contemporary performances showcasing classical and folk dances, drama, and musical ensembles. Live music and an orchestra featuring talented local and guest musicians will create an immersive cultural experience. A traditional feast, Onam Sadhya, will also take place.
TradLABS is a two-day community folk arts weekender featuring hands-on workshops, live traditional music, and interactive sessions designed to engage local residents and visitors with Irish folk culture. Through music, storytelling, and Irish language, the event fosters participation, creativity, and cultural pride. It offers inclusive, accessible programming that celebrates heritage while spotlighting underrepresented voices and eco-conscious practices, encouraging deeper engagement with the arts and a lasting connection to community-based cultural expression.
The 2025 Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School marks McGee’s bicentenary by exploring urgent global issues through the lens of culture, dialogue, and democratic values. This year’s focus, Climate Justice and Human Rights in a Changing World Order, brings together citizens, creatives, activists, and thought leaders to engage with the arts, storytelling, and discussion. The Summer School promotes cultural activity by fostering inclusive debate, sharing lived experience, and encouraging collective creativity in response to global challenges.
Deputy McGreehan added, “I’d like to thank the organisers and volunteers who make these events happen every year. Their dedication keeps community life vibrant and makes sure the culture of Louth is celebrated and shared.”
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
