19 October 2026: Round 2 of the three-year €1.5 million fund that will directly impact communities in County Clare has been launched today. The Clare Communities Fund is a collaboration between Rethink Ireland, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) via the Dormant Accounts Fund.  

The fund is calling for applications from community projects and organisations whose work will make a direct impact in County Clare, addressing social inequalities and fostering accessibility and inclusion.  

Applications are now open at rethinkireland.ie/open-funds/ and will close on 7 December. Rethink Ireland is the national funding body supporting the most innovative non-profit organisations and social enterprises working to create a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland. 

The first round of awards was announced in July this year to seven projects based across Clare. The projects support a broad range of marginalised communities, including people with disabilities, migrants, Traveller and Roma communities, ethnic minorities and individuals and families experiencing poverty or socioeconomic disadvantage. The awarded organisations are Burrenbeo Trust, Cuimhneamh an Chláir (Clare Memories), Scarrif Bay Community Radio, MS Ireland, LIFT Ireland, Wild Earth and Hometree. Round 2, which launches today, will support up to eight additional local projects in County Clare. 

Cormac McCarthy, Chairman of Cuimhneamh an Chláir (Clare Memories), a local nonprofit organisation that collects, curates and shares the oral histories of people across County Clare and an awardee of round 1 of the fund comments: “Support from the first round of the Clare Communities Fund is helping us bring overlooked stories into the cultural record. Traveller and migrant communities have played an important role in shaping Clare’s heritage, yet their contributions are often underrepresented. This funding enables us to engage local communities and capture these stories, empower local people to become custodians of their own heritage and this will strengthen social bonds, inclusion and community pride. We encourage organisations to apply to Round 2 and take advantage of the funding and capacity-building support it offers.” 

Speaking at the launch of round 2 of the Fund, Padraic Vallely, Head of Government and Strategic Partnerships Rethink Ireland said: “Since 2016, Rethink Ireland has invested over €7 million in supports for 16 projects directly based in the Clare region. Our awardees’ impact in County Clare extends far beyond this €7 million investment with over 60 projects positively impacting County Clare. We have seen that when it comes to tackling County Clare’s most complex social challenges, the best solutions are those that are developed locally, by people and organisations who understand the challenges facing their communities because they are living with them every day. Through this fund supported by local philanthropy, we are giving those local organisations the opportunity to strengthen and grow their impact across County Clare.” 

Also commenting on the second round of the funding, Derek Barrett, CEO of The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation said: “We were inspired by the passion and commitment of the Round 1 awardees and their dedication to improving lives across County Clare. Through Round 2 of the fund, we are proud to continue investing in local organisations that are helping to build a more inclusive and accessible county. We know there are organisations across Clare doing vital work to support people who face barriers to participation and opportunity, and we encourage them to apply for this funding opportunity to strengthen their work, reach more people and create lasting change in their communities.” 

To be eligible to apply for the Clare Communities Fund, projects must meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Promote social inclusion in County Clare through a strong sense of community and wellbeing 

• Use arts, music, or culture as a tool for engagement and empowerment 

• Increase participation in community and cultural activities for those with limited access 

• Develop or improve creative, cognitive, social and emotional skills 

• Address health and well-being disparities in line with Ireland’s Well-being Framework 

• Demonstrate potential for long-term impact and sustainability. 

Deadline for applications is 7 December 2026 at 1pm.