Laois TD says Dunamaise Arts Centre 'urgently' requires full modernisation

The Dunamaise Arts Centre “urgently” requires full modernisation which could cost around €220,000, a Laois TD has said. 

Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird raised the issue in a parliamentary question to Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan on Thursday, November 20.    

“For 25 years the Dunamaise Arts Centre has provided a home for drama, music, film, community groups, festivals and the visual arts in my region. It has supported both professional and amateur artists. It has built a reputation for excellence. The centre has vibrant, energetic and ambitious plans and is ready to expand and strengthen its role as the cultural heart of the county,” Dep Aird told Minister O’Donovan.  

“However, the centre urgently requires renewed investment. Its technical and production infrastructure is now significantly outdated. Essential systems have reached the end of their lifespan, including lighting and power distribution, control desks and production computers. Much of the lighting is based on older, unsustainable technology soon to be phased out under EU regulations. Dunamaise Arts Centre needs full modernisation. The estimated cost is approximately €220,000 and this is not outrageous. Without this investment, the ability of the centre to safely and professionally host performances will be compromised,” Dep Aird stated. 

He asked the Minister how much funding had been allocated to the Dunamaise Arts Centre in the past five years, what funding was planned for the centre in the coming years and what funding streams are available. 

Minister  O’Donovan said: “The centre in Portlaoise referred to by the Deputy has been awarded capital funding of over €340,000 under various schemes from my Department since 2006. Within the past five years, it availed of funding to the value of €9,996 under stream D of the cultural capital scheme, a scheme which was set up in direct response to Covid-19 to assist organisations with re-opening safely.” 

He said “I understand the organisation in question is in receipt of annual funding from the Arts Council and was awarded €125,000 in 2024 and €145,000 in 2025.” 

Minister O’Donovan explained that his Department has a capital funding scheme focused on enhancing existing arts and culture centres which provides grants of up to €50,000.  “I believe the organisation in question is aware of this scheme and had been in the process of submitting an application in September of this year but has put it on hold and expects to resubmit the full application in due course. The Department would welcome this application as soon as the applicant is in a position to submit it.”

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Dep Aird said  “the Dunamaise Arts Centre can serve its community for the next 25 years as it has for the past 25. I acknowledge the exceptional work of the team there including Ciara O'Connell, the CEO, Nick Antonm the technical manager and all the front-of-house, administrative and technical staff. This commitment has kept a vital cultural space alive through significant challenges. I encourage the people of Laois and all surrounding counties to continue supporting the centre.”