GATINEAU, October 6, 2026
Canada and Ireland share deep cultural ties, rooted in a long history and a cultural heritage that continues to connect our people today. Throughout 2027, the Canada–Ireland 180 initiative will commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of more than 100,000 Irish people to Canada, giving Canadians and Irish people an opportunity to discover and celebrate our shared history.
As part of the initiative, Canada is investing up to $2 million through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to strengthen ties between the Canadian and Irish arts sectors and open new doors for artists and presenters. Today, the Government of Canada is announcing three initial elements:
- Direct financial support totalling $500,000 over two years to help Canadian presenters book Canadian and Irish artists.
- Easier access to Irish artists through a national, bilingual booking portal where Canadian presenters can discover eligible Irish artists, coordinate tours and present their work across the country.
- Support for Canadian presenters to participate in industry showcases, networking and booking activities.
To help make this landmark cultural initiative a success, the Government of Canada is collaborating with the Government of Ireland to connect Irish artists with Canadian presenters, including through support provided to the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA), the International Conference of the Performing Arts (CINARS) and Folk Canada.