Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair has been awarded a grant of €20,000 for the promotion of drama and arts in the Gaeltacht region.
The funding boost was announced today by Donegal Minister Joe McHugh, who commended the work of the committee that revived the hub in recent years.
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair officially opened in 1961. With financial backing from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Amharclann underwent huge renovation theatre in the past few years. It officially reopened in March 2017.
This week, the theatre is staging its first pantomime in 40 years.
“Amharchlann Gaoth Dobhair rightly has pride of place in Na Doirí Beaga and across Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal and this €20,000 grant is superb recognition of their work,” Minister McHugh said.
The latest grant was sanctioned by the Department of Irish, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Minister McHugh said: “‘I am delighted to see the Amharchlann secure financial support like this. The work that went into the venue to bring it back to life was phenomenal and the lasting impact that it is having on the local community is impressive.
“Pól Mac Cumhaill, all his team and the committee at Amharchlann Ghaoth Dobhair deserve huge credit and I am delighted to see them getting the backing they deserve.
“They are huge supporters of the Irish language. They support actors, writers, artists, musicians, designers and directors. They bring people to the region. They do it through our language. And all the while they are trying to cater for young people and make the language relevant and get young Irish speakers to use it,” Mc Hugh added.
The funding will go to the Amharclann to help the committee properly cater for drama and the arts in Gaoth Dobhair and wider Donegal community.