Limerick organisation secures funding for cross-border youth project

NARRATIVE 4 has secured €250,000 in multi-year funding from Creative Ireland to expand its cross-border youth project, Living Legends, between 2026 and 2028.

The award-winning national youth organisation’s programme offers teenagers a space to connect across historic and cultural differences through storytelling, folklore and creative workshops.

The project will work with over 40 young people aged 14 to 17 from Southill and Garryowen, and Ardoyne in Belfast.

Over the course of five residential trips, participants will visit culturally significant sites across the island, engaging with local artists and musicians to explore shared heritage and develop their own creative voices.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said he is “delighted” Creative Ireland funding supporting Narrative 4, “particularly given its strong roots here in Limerick”.

“This is exactly the kind of initiative we want to support through the Shared Island programme. It brings young people from Limerick and Belfast together, gives them the opportunity to learn about each other’s communities and uses creativity and storytelling to build understanding and lasting friendships.

“The young people involved are not just learning about our shared culture and heritage – they are creating something new together. I’m particularly pleased that this funding will allow Living Legends to grow over the next two years and give even more young people that opportunity,” Mr O’Donovan explained.

This funding will enable Narrative 4 to build on the success of the project’s first iteration.