Whale Theatre Secures €20,000 In National Grassroots Funding Boost

Greystones venue gets much-needed funding to maintain its popular output of varied forms of entertainment

The Whale Theatre in Greystones has been awarded €20,000 in Government funding under the 2026 Grassroots Venues Support Scheme.

The venue is one of 60 across the country to benefit from the €1 million fund, which supports grassroots music and comedy venues and aims to showcase emerging Irish talent.

The Whale Theatre received the maximum allocation available under the scheme, recognising its established role in programming new Irish artists and contributing to Wicklow’s cultural life.

Tánaiste and Wicklow TD Simon Harris said The Whale is a vital part of the local community and a key launchpad for emerging performers.

“I know just how much The Whale Theatre means to our town,” he said. “Grassroots venues like The Whale are the beating heart of our communities and the launchpad for the next generation of Irish talent.”

He added that the funding will help support local employment in areas such as sound, lighting, marketing and production, while also boosting live events in Greystones.

The Grassroots Venues Support Scheme is part of the Government’s Night-Time Economy initiative and has more than doubled in scale this year, expanding from 34 venues supported in 2025 to 60 in 2026.

The Whale Theatre opened in September 2017 after its purchase in 2014 and subsequent redevelopment by owner Ross McParland.

Since then, the Whale Theatre has hosted thousands of events presenting a wide range of music, drama, dance, comedy and film screenings.

Also, offering educational workshops, free family events, micro-festivals and schools’ events, the theatre has been the home of and sponsor to community groups Greystones Players Community Theatre Group, Making Waves Youth Theatre and Greystones Film Club.