Clans of Mayo Homecoming 2026 funding scheme launched

MAYO County Council has launched the Clans of Mayo Homecoming 2026 funding scheme.

The funding scheme is aimed at supporting homecoming events which encourage the Mayo diaspora to travel home to Mayo throughout 2026.

Mayo's long and colourful history was made by men and women whose descendants now live all over the world, as well as in their home county.

Since earliest recorded history, groups of people living in Mayo have coalesced together into clans - the story of their development and struggle for supremacy and survival form a rich part of our history and heritage.

The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Sean Carey, said: “The connection of the Mayo diaspora to home is one of the most unique and important things about this county.

“The people of Mayo have spread their wings far and wide across the globe, but no matter how far away they are or how many generations back their Mayo heritage goes, their love of Mayo never dwindles.

“This new funding scheme is the perfect opportunity for clans and families to stage a homecoming event in 2026, to come back and celebrate not just Mayo, but the history and heritage of the different clans that have their roots in the county.”

Mags Connell, administrative officer, Communications Department, Mayo County Council, added: “Mayo County Council have always recognised the importance of the relationship between our wide and vast diaspora and the county.

“2026 is a great opportunity for the clans of Mayo to come together and celebrate what makes each individual clan unique, historic and vital.

“With this funding scheme, Mayo County Council are looking to support clans to come home to not only celebrate the past, but forge new partnerships and pathways for the future.

The Clans of Mayo Homecoming 2026 is now open for applications. Full details and the application form can be found at mayo.ie/ClansOfMayoHomecoming.

Applicants should note that there is no guarantee of funding for homecoming events that achieve the minimum eligibility conditions.

The fund is limited, and all eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis against the criteria set out in the programme guidelines.