Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

We need to get real about funding the arts in Galway.

Galway City Council last week confirmed its annual arts grants for 2025 was €450,000 – there was broad welcome for the €50,000 increased allocation compared with last year.

On the face of it, 12.5% more was a success. But the reality is, relatively, it’s pittance. The extra €50,000 – the first increase for several years – will hardly cover the cost of inflation.

So, the organisations who benefit from grants would be doing well to stand still, even if they appear better off on paper compared with 2024.

The problem is Galway City Council is not allocating enough funding to arts organisations. And it’s been getting away with it for years. Even when it........

© Connacht Tribune