The Ultach Fund / An Ciste Ultach
Overview
Established in 1989 the Trust promoted the Irish language as part of Northern Ireland’s shared cultural heritage. The Trust in its lifetime invested over £2 million in a wide range of activities. The Trust sought to maximise impact and added value wherever possible. The support of voluntary activity was a priority and the Trust’s grants programme gave recognition and encouragement to groups and individuals who were working on the ground. They included a geographically diverse range of community groups running classes, Irish language social events and talks.
The Ultach Fund is now managed and administered by the Community Foundation which is delighted to continue to fund grass roots community and voluntary groups to promote the Irish language.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to registered charities and constituted grass roots community and voluntary groups based in Northern Ireland. Priority is given to Irish language community organisations and centres, should the fund be oversubscribed.
What can be supported?
- Projects that promote and encourage the use of the Irish language at community level.
- Priority is given to projects that promote the active use of and/or engagement with the Irish language.
- Projects that demonstrate innovative, imaginative, creative approaches to Irish language arts.
- Projects that celebrate and embrace the cultural heritage of the Irish language.
- Projects that demonstrate cross-community aspects and/or reach new audiences, promoting mutual understanding and contact between different communities.
Grants Available: Up to £4,000
In very exceptional circumstances the panel may decide to award larger grants, at their discretion, and in line with the current criteria.
Examples of types of project
Promotion of the Irish language through, but are not limited to:
- Irish language classes, courses and other relevant learning opportunities (however we will not fund after school clubs, youth clubs for which there are other funding streams available).
- Structured Irish language social events to improve fluency and/or support fluent Irish language speakers, including families.
- Production of Irish language learning or awareness resources, such as innovative publications and relevant digital resources.
- Irish language arts based activities.
- Running costs may be deemed eligible for Irish language centres.
- Small capital costs relevant to the project may be eligible.
In the event of oversubscription they will prioritise:
1. Applications which include all the required supporting documentation as specified in the application form. Please note if the fund is oversubscribed, failure to submit the required supporting documentation will result in the application not being shortlisted for assessment.
2. Irish language organisations whose core objectives in the governing document are the promotion of the Irish language.
3. Projects for which there are no other funding streams available.
Previous Grants
In 2024 the success rate for applications to this fund was 32%.
Notes
Please note: Applicants that currently hold a live Ultach Fund grant – please submit your monitoring and spend information for this grant as soon as possible, as this will need to be submitted prior to payment of any new award, if your application is successful.
* Please note that for the previous round of funding all awards were allocated to those in the priority group – Irish language organisations whose core objectives in the governing document are the promotion of the Irish language.