Find out about the theatre makers we are supporting with bursaries, commissions and other supports.
Here at An Grianán, we are more than just a venue. Behind the scenes, we are a busy hub of activity, offering time and support to theatre makers and creatives from the North West.
We provide space, advice, networking opportunities, financial, technical and marketing support, as well as producing and touring work.
Support our work
If you would like to help us bring more projects to the stage, the easiest way to support us is by buying tickets for a show.
If you would like to do a little more, consider leaving a donation, joining Theatre Club or sponsoring a seat.
Current Projects
Current projects include our Acorns Bursary awards, which provide successful applicants with a financial bursary of either €1000 or €2000, as well as other supports such as rehearsal space, creative conversations and development support sessions with our Artist-in-Residence Ultan Pringle and our wider leadership team. You can find out about our Acorns recipients here: 2025, 2026.
In 2026, we have worked with one of our 2025 Acorns recipients, Gráinne Curistan, to develop her play Saving for a Helicopter into a full show which can be seen at An Grianán this June and at the Dublin Fringe in September.
Another of our 2025 Acorns recipients, Genevieve Hulme-Beaman, performs her play Ratling here in July 2026.
We are also co-producing Caoimhe Farren’s new comedy drama Hello Charlie, which will be touring in autumn 2026. and can be seen at An Grianán this September.
We have partnered with theatre artist Paul Curley for The Elephant in the Room, an innovative project that features a bespoke Elephant sculpture that will visit two local schools, Lurgybrack NS and Scoil Mhuire Letterkenny, in May. At more than 3.5 metres tall, this impressive beast will live in each school for a week, allowing the whole school to witness the wonder of this curious creature.
The Network for Extraordinary Audiences
We are proud to be part of the Network for Extraordinary Audiences along with theatre maker Anna Newell, who specialises in producing theatre for early years and audiences with complex needs. This has included shows for babies under 1 here at An Grianán, as well as performances in the Little Angels School in Letterkenny.
“I just wanted to pass on my thanks and gratitude for your wonderful performances last week! I have spoken to the other teachers and they have only great things to say! They absolutely loved the show and thought it was very interactive and engaging and everyone thought that it was pitched at just the right level for our students.” Little Angels School
Irish Aerial Dance Fest
We are a partner with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance and Donegal County Council for the Irish Aerial Dance Fest, a long running international festival based in Letterkenny, specialising in aerial dance and circus. It attracts students and participants from all over the world and offers local audiences a chance to enjoy shows from both Irish and international performers every July.
Trad Week Letterkenny
Trad Week Letterkenny is an annual event hosted by An Grianán Theatre and the Regional Cultural Centre at the end of January. A vibrant celebration of traditional, folk and world music, it features a packed programme of concerts, talks, workshops, storytelling and family-friendly events, showcasing both established names and exciting new voices. Trad Week Letterkenny is kindly supported by Donegal County Council and the Arts Council.
Earagail Arts Festival
We are a host venue for the annual Earagail Arts Festival, a major arts festival which takes place across the county every July. We also provide box office support via phone and in person bookings.
Nasc Network
An Grianán is a member of the Nasc Network. Established in 2006, the Nasc Network is a partnership of eight venues that work together to present touring projects and share marketing and other areas of expertise. The Nasc Network Venues are An Grianán Theatre, Backstage (Longford), Dunamaise (Port Laoise), Glór (Ennis), The Lime Tree (Limerick), The Pavilion (Dun Laoghaire), Siamsa Tíre (Tralee) and Town Hall Theatre (Galway). Nasc supported projects include Whistle In The Dark and Conversations on a Home Coming by Druid Theatre, Haughey|Gregory by Fishamble, A Call to You by Catherine Young Dance and The Loved Ones by Rough Magic. Nasc issues a yearly open call for a production award for high quality new or existing theatre productions that are available to tour to Nasc venues.
NOMAD THEATRE NETWORK
An Grianán is a member of the Nomad Theatre Network, a partnership of eight regional venues. The network was established in February 2006 to cultivate a partnership approach towards producing and touring between venues and professional production companies. The member venues are Backstage Theatre, Droichead Arts Centre, An Grianán Theatre, Hawks Well Theatre, Mullingar Arts Centre, Ramor Theatre/Cavan Town Hall, Riverbank Arts Centre, Roscommon Arts Centre. Tours by Nomad Network include MÁM & Swan Lake/Loch na hEala (Teaċ Daṁsa) and Tarry Flynn & Bailegangaire (Livin’ Dred), The Far Off Hills (Loco & Reckless Productions) and The Dead School. The NOMAD network is supported by The Arts Council.
Navigator Jazz Residency
We are a partner with the Improvised Music Company on the Navigator residency which offers jazz and improvising musicians professionally remunerated time and space to develop and perform work, while building creative and professional relationships in new locations. Our artist-in-residence for 2026 is Méabh McKenna.
“I have never felt so connected with creative people in such a short period, and on top of that, unexpected opportunities emerged throughout the seven days of the residency.” So-Young Yoon, 2024 Navigator Artist.
Above: For Cormac McCarthy’s 2021 Navigator Residency we recorded his performance with Micheál Murray.
North West Dance Residency
We are a partner with Galway Dance on the North West Dance Residency, a programme which aims to build and create a supportive framework for dance in the north-west region, through provision of space, a financial stipend and access to practical supports such as production advice, accessing funding streams and mentoring. Our dancer-in-residence for 2026 is Steve Batts (Echo Echo Dance).
NORTHERN BORDERS
We have partnered with Accidental Theatre, Belfast, for the Northern Borders Project, funded by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.
Northern Borders is a key cross-border arts initiative that fosters long-term collaboration between communities in the North of the island. Acting as creative hubs in Belfast and Letterkenny, we will connect with communities in Donegal, Sligo, Monaghan, Louth, Tyrone, Leitrim, Derry, Cavan, Fermanagh, Armagh, Antrim and Down, through shared programming, training, community engagement and digital innovation. Spanning 12 months, the project will support a programme of events enabling audiences across Ireland to access cultural work regardless of location, whilst bringing communities together to share experiences that are meaningful to them and which they can participate in. Projects include an artist’s residency and technician placements.
The Viewing Project
We are currently in the midst of a huge PEACEPLUS funded arts adventure called The Viewing Project which runs until 2027. Across the two years of the project, more than 300 participants, including professional theatre makers, emerging artists, community and youth groups, school pupils and more, will engage in a wide variety of arts activities. This will include theatre projects, visual arts, writing, professional career development and much more. Find out more about The Viewing Project here.
Young Curators
We are part of the Young Curators Venue Network, a programme supported by the Arts Council aimed at young people ages 18 to 25 interested in gaining experience in working in the arts, especially those interested in venue and festival management and programming. Our Young Curators for 2026 are Bridget Salaja and Isaac Quinn.
Sound! Soundtrack and Film Festival
We are partners with the Regional Cultural Centre for the Sound! Soundtrack and Film Festival, a 5 day festival held in May. Sound! brings together filmmakers, composers, musicians and audiences for a richly immersive experience that spans screenings, live performances, discussions and family-friendly events.
Via Cultura – Cultural Companions Programme
We are a partner along with the Regional Cultural Centre and Donegal County Museum in the Donegal Arts Service’s Cultural Companions Programme, launched in May 2026. Via Cultura is a scheme that invites local volunteers to welcome newcomers to Ireland through shared cultural experiences such as theatre, museums, galleries & festival outings.
Artist/Mentor Programme
The Artist/Mentor programme is delivered by Donegal Arts Service, supported by Creative Ireland, in partnership with An Grianán Theatre, the Regional Cultural Centre and ATU Letterkenny. The programme provides an opportunity for educational, arts and cultural venues to engage with new artists from Black and Minority Ethnic and Global Majority communities. Each venue provides space and time for artists in the mentorship programme, allowing artists to co-design and co-create original work.
