Donegal Sports Partnership allocated €477,807 in Core Funding

Donegal Sports Partnership is to receive €477,807 in Core Funding for 2026.

The allocation, which includes €9,000 for Women in Sport, is an increase of €40,000 on the amount for 2025.

The funding is part of a €12.66 million investment in Ireland’s 29 Local Sports Partnerships announced by Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue.

Speaking at the Sport Ireland campus on Wednesday morning, the Fianna Fáil Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy said: “Donegal Sports Partnership has been a great asset to the county since it was established in 2001. This latest allocation of funding will allow its CEO, Declan Boyle, and his team, to continue to create opportunities for our communities to engage in sport and physical activity throughout Donegal.”

READ NEXT: St Michael's GAA club help 'Trojan worker' Moses Alcorn celebrate 60th birthday

“I was delighted to launch Donegal Sports Partnership’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029 last June which aims to promote lifelong physical activity, increase sports participation, and strengthen community partnerships across Donegal. Donegal Sports Partnership does excellent work in the area of community health, well-being and social cohesion by ensuring physical activity is accessible to everyone,” Minister McConalogue added.

The funding for LSPs for 2026 is included in a record investment of €33.36 million in Core Funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2026. €19.5 million is being invested in 57 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) this year, an increase of €1.2 million on the 2025 figure.

“This is the highest ever level of Core investment in sport and represents a 6.5% increase on 2025 levels and an 87.4% increase on the €17.8 million investment in 2018, when the National Sports Policy was published,” Minister McConalogue commented.

“The work of NGBs and LSPs in advancing wider Government priorities underlines the central role sport plays in Irish society. This Core funding will strengthen investment in high-performing, volunteer-led organisations in 2026, enabling them to build capacity, enhance sustainability, and plan with confidence for the future.

“Crucially, it will support their continued efforts to make sport more inclusive and accessible - particularly for those facing socio-economic barriers and people with disabilities - while further expanding the reach and impact of LSPs as they empower communities to participate in sport and physical activity."

“I am absolutely delighted that Donegal Sports Partnership has secured this major funding,” said Minister Marian Harkin. “This investment recognises the outstanding work the Partnership has done over the past year and will enable communities, clubs, schools, and families throughout Donegal to enjoy even greater opportunities in sport and physical activity in 2026 and beyond.”