Council launches new Irish language bursary scheme

Council launches new Irish language bursary scheme

19 February 2025

NEWRY, Mourne and Down District Council have announced the opening date for its 2025-26 Irish language bursary scheme.

The scheme will help residents in the district to attend Irish language colleges and courses through bursary assistance aimed at covering course costs and fees.

The council is inviting applications for bursaries towards local Irish courses, Gaeltacht colleges, modules within Irish language courses and intensive Irish language courses taking place between April 1= and September 30, 2025.

Applications can be submitted via an online application form, which will be available from 12pm on Monday, March 10.

Further information regarding the scheme can be found on the Council’s website www.newrymournedown.org/ssng where a link to the online application can be accessed from the scheme’s opening date.  

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairperson, Pete Byrne expressed his delight that the scheme is opening again this year. 

He said: “We are very proud in council that we can make this funding available to help the community learn the Irish language. This scheme will help to alleviate some of the course fees and costs learners face.” 

He continued: “I highly recommend the council’s Irish language bursary scheme to all in our community and wish everyone well in their Irish language learning journey.”

Various Irish language groups and organisations in the district offer courses both in the classroom environment and virtually. 

For further information, contact The Irish Language Unit by email at gaeilge@nmandd.org  or call 0330 137 4463.