Ireland’s Young People Are Carrying the Arts Scene
Ireland’s Young People Are Carrying the Arts Scene
90% of under 35s attended an arts event in 2025
The Arts Council have just released a report which proves something many of us have known for a while: Ireland’s young people are powering arts engagement across the country. Their survey found that 90% of under 35s attended an arts event in 2025, and almost 60% of this age group took part in the arts themselves.
In comparison, attendance is lower with older age groups, with 71% of 35–49 year olds and 60% of those over 50 attending an arts event in 2025. Overall attendance across all adults surveyed stood at 72%.
More broadly, the findings point to a population that really values arts. A large majority of people surveyed said Ireland is a creative nation, and most agreed that the arts play an important role in society. There was also strong support for arts education and public funding, with many saying the arts should be given similar importance to areas like sport and science in schools and policy.
However, the report also highlights ongoing barriers. Unsurprisingly, cost remains the biggest issue, with over half of respondents saying they didn’t attend an arts event because it was too expensive. Time and access are also significant factors, especially for those outside major urban areas. Despite this, 63% of people said they would like to take part more often.
Overall, the picture is a positive one for young people and the arts in Ireland. Engagement is high, participation is strong, and interest is clearly there. The challenge now is making sure that access, cost and opportunity don’t hold that back in the long term.
