St. Vincent'sBasketball Club

When Johnny met Conor

Conor Gilligan — a Super League player with Bright St. Vincent’s — features alongside former Ireland rugby captain and MACE ambassador Johnny Sexton in MACE’s video launching the 2026 Community Grants.

St. Vincent’s has received a MACE Community Grant before, and the grants are open again this year for community groups the length and breadth of Ireland.

Johnny Sexton and Conor Gilligan in the MACE Community Grants 2026 launch video
From MACE's Community Grants launch video, featuring Johnny Sexton and Bright St. Vincent's player Conor Gilligan. Watch on YouTube ↗

What’s on offer

This year’s fund is €50,000 — 50 groups and clubs across Ireland each receive €1,000. It’s open to organisations of every size: sports clubs, youth groups, voluntary organisations and community associations.

How to apply

  • Open now until 10 September 2026
  • Apply at mace.ie/mace-community-grants, or scan the QR code in participating MACE stores
  • Give your group’s details and, in 150 words or less, why you deserve the funding and how it would help your community

Our thanks to MACE, and good luck to any local group applying this year.