CREATIVE IRELAND 2017 PROGRAMME - Your County-By-County Guide To Getting Creative in 2017 - Ireland.ie
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CREATIVE
IRELAND 2017
PROGRAMME
Your County-By-County Guide
To Getting Creative in 2017
Saturday 10 June 2017 | www.ireland.ie
CREATIVE IRELAND INTRODUCTION
‘This is just
FIONNÁN
SHEAHAN
EDITOR,
IRISH
the beginning.
INDEPENDENT
A country
with a wealth
of creative We can work
heritage
IT’S hard to believe there has
together to put
culture at the
never been a plan drawing
together all of the artistic,
creative and cultural offerings
of every city and county in the
heart of our lives’
country.
In a country with such a rich
and diverse array of heritage
and history, which serves to
inspire present and future
generations, there is truly a
wealth of talent out there.
In this ‘Creative Ireland 2017 We want to prioritise the cultural life of
Programme’ supplement today,
you get a taste of how to get the nation as our economy continues to
creative in your area.
What is unique about it is this strengthen, writes Heather Humphreys
I
not a top-down approach, with
instructions being issued from WANT to start by saying a very heart of communities nationwide.
on high. What you are getting massive ‘Míle Buíochas’ to the Culture Teams have already been
back in your areas is what has thousands of people from all appointed in every local authority
been put in at a local level. over Ireland who came to our 36 nationwide. These teams bring
The county and city plans are public workshops for Creative together key staff from across the
really a reflection of the effort Ireland over the last few months. We local authorities who will be working
of communities who want to had hugely engaging and passionate together to drive culture and creativity
make their mark on the creative debates in every county about culture, in every county. Just consider the
landscape. citizenship, our identity, and the result many festivals which will be taking
Cruinniú na Cásca at Easter has been that every local authority place around the country this summer;
weekend was a teaser of what is has now published its first ‘culture from the Listowel Writers’ Week
to come over the coming years. and creativity’ plan based on these to the Kilkenny Arts Festival and
Again, for the first time, discussions. This has been a very Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. They
every part of the country put on positive, enriching and constructive are all wonderful expressions of our
events, which drew hundreds exercise in citizen engagement and culture and creativity, and we want
of thousands of people. It democracy. to encourage everyone to get more
showed the appetite for Creative Ireland is a culture-based involved.
engagement in creativity from programme designed to promote Through Creative Ireland, the
those of all ages. individual, community and national Government is stating very clearly, that
Creative Ireland has received wellbeing. It’s an invitation to everyone we value culture and creativity, and we
the backing at highest political to get involved, or more involved, in want to prioritise the cultural life of
level. our cultural life. Its core proposition the nation as our economy continues
Arts Minister Heather is that participation in cultural to strengthen. I view culture as a
Humphreys has been the activity drives personal and collective unifying force, as a way of celebrating Pillar 3 is about investing in our
driving force and has creativity, with significant implications diversity and inclusion and enriching creative and cultural infrastructure,
consistently received support for individual and societal wellbeing our wellbeing. making our National Cultural
from outgoing Taoiseach Enda and achievement. In other words, There are five pillars in the Creative Institutions fit for the 21st century.
Kenny. engaging in cultural activities is good Ireland Programme. Pillar 1 is about That means, if the public finances
And incoming Taoiseach Leo for you. enabling the creative potential allow and the economy continues
Varadkar has doubled down, So what does all this mean for you? of every child and young person; to grow, we want to invest more in
so the speak, with a promise to Well, it means that if you are a parent, making it easier for children to access institutions like our National Library
increase funding for the arts and we want to make sure that your child, arts and creativity both inside and and the National Museum, which are
also specifically committing to and every child, has access to tuition outside school, as a key part of their such an essential part of our national
the implementation of Creative or participation in art, music, drama development. infrastructure.
Ireland. or coding over the next five years. We Pillar 2 is about enabling creativity Pillar 4 is about our creative
And this is just the start of the also want to ensure that the arts are in every community; ensuring that industries, with the initial focus on
Irish Independent support of much more embedded in education creativity is encouraged and resourced making Ireland a Centre of Excellence
this unique initiative. generally, because research shows from the bottom up. I want to in global Media Production for film,
Over the summer, we cover that children who engage in cultural empower communities — rural and TV drama and animation. We have big
events, big and small, up and activity are happier, they do better in urban — to maximise their creative ambitions for the film sector. We’ve
down the country to show this school and they have less anxiety. strengths, and boost their sense of all been incredibly proud in recent
really is a creative Ireland. We also want to put culture at the community pride and wellbeing. years to see films like Brooklyn and
2 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017
To see your full city/county plan, log on to Ireland.ie
Contents
4 PILLARS OF STRENGTH
The Pillars on which the Creative
Ireland programme is built
5 CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
How Creative Ireland will be
celebrated throughout country
WHAT’S ON IN YOUR AREA?
8 DUBLIN CITY 20 WESTMEATH
10 FINGAL 22 LONGFORD
12 SOUTH 24 OFFALY
DUBLIN COUNTY
26 LAOIS
14 DÚN
LAOGHAIRE- 28 KILDARE
RATHDOWN 30 WICKLOW
16 LOUTH 32 CARLOW
18 MEATH 34 KILKENNY
36 A FEAST OF CREATIVITY
Just some of the Irish festivals
supported by Creative Ireland
38 WEXFORD 56 GALWAY
COUNTY
40 CORK CITY
58 MAYO
42 CORK
COUNTY 60 ROSCOMMON
44 KERRY 62 LEITRIM
46 LIMERICK 64 SLIGO
48 CLARE 66 MONAGHAN
50 TIPPERARY 68 CAVAN
52 WATERFORD 70 DONEGAL
54 GALWAY CITY
CREATIVE
IRELAND 2017
PROGRAMME
Your County-By-County Guide
To Getting Creative in 2017
Saturday 10 June 2017 | www.independent.ie
Room and actors like Saoirse Ronan An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Artists are central to Creative Published by Independent Newspapers,
and Colin Farrell do so well on the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Ireland. It is through the work of 27–32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
international stage, not to mention our Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather artists that our eyes are opened and Editors: Fionnán Sheahan
fantastic animation sector. We want to Humphreys meet children from the the potential for the creativity of every and Gerard Siggins
grow the domestic film sector here and Chinese Children’s Dance Academy person becomes apparent. Through Design & Production:
attract more big blockbusters, like Star during Cruinniú na Cásca Creative Ireland we will see direct Joe Coyle Media & Design
Wars, to film in Ireland. benefits to artists, direct engagement and the INM Magazine Hub
‘‘
Pillar 5 is about unifying our global and collaboration with artists, more Printed by:
reputation around the richness of our artistic output and greater audiences Boylan Print Group
arts, culture, language and heritage. for the work of artists. That is
We’ll be reaching out to our Diaspora fundamental to the Programme.
and presenting a message to the world A huge amount of work has already
that Ireland is a creative and dynamic Creative Ireland is been done by Creative Ireland. But IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
nation, in which to live, work and in truth this is just the beginning.
invest. We are well advanced with already embedded I believe that this is an important
work programmes on all five pillars moment for Ireland, a moment when
and I am happy to say that Creative in our national we can work together to put culture
AND
Ireland is already embedded in our at the heart of our lives, and make
national policy agenda. policy agenda creativity our defining characteristic.
Saturday 10 June 2017 | Irish Independent YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME | 3
CREATIVE IRELAND PILLARS
Creativity Three-year-old Amelia Russell
from Cabra pictured dancing
with her mum Karina, at the
Céilí Mór during Cruinniú na Cásca
built on
at The Custom House in Dublin
solid Pillars
Creative Ireland’s five key Pillars
set out how the programme will
be rolled out throughout Ireland
PILLAR 1
Enabling the Creative Potential
of Every Child and Young Person
LAST year, a landmark study better arts provision for
by the Arts Council and the our children, including the
ESRI showed that Irish children Department of Education
who participate in artistic and and Skills, the Department
cultural activities cope better of Children and Youth Affairs
with schoolwork, are happier and the Department of Arts,
and have less socio-emotional Heritage, Regional, Rural and
difficulties. The first pillar of Gaeltacht Affairs as well as the
Creative Ireland is based on the Arts Council and the Creative
principle that getting involved Ireland team. There has also
in the arts is good for our young been extensive consultation and
people. engagement with the arts in
The big ambition is to ensure education sector, both formal
that every child can access and informal.
tuition and participation in art, While much of this work is
music, drama or coding by 2022. about the arts in education,
To achieve this, we will publish it includes other avenues
a Creative Schools plan later to creativity such as forms
this year. The plan will include of creative play and other Skellig Michael, PILLAR 5
a substantial programme of activities that encourage young off the coast of Unifying Our
engagement with the formal people’s self-expression and that Kerry, where
and informal education system. support mental and physical scenes from
Global Reputation
We also want to resource and wellbeing. Star Wars: The
fast-track implementation of The education plan will also Force Awakens THE new portal website for
the Arts in Education Charter, recognise the non-formal and was filmed Ireland — ireland.ie — is the
which has already been non-mainstream initiatives in most obvious manifestation
delivering great results for arts education and creativity of Pillar 5. Launched by the
schools and students since 2012. across Ireland. New and existing Taoiseach in Washington DC
A number of Departments initiatives in the arts and coding PILLAR 4 on St Patrick’s Day, it does
will be involved in delivering will be included. Ireland as a Centre of Excellence something never attempted
before: it sets out a single
in Media Production overarching message about
PILLAR 2 PILLAR 3 Ireland — a message that
Enabling Investing in PILLAR 4, which focuses on and a major study of the sector Ireland is first and foremost
promoting Ireland as a centre by internationally renowned a great place to live, a place
Creativity in our Creative of excellence in creative and consultants, Olsberg SPI, will where arts, heritage and
Every Community and Cultural media production, is also well inform an ambitious plan for culture are what define us and
underway. the sector to be published in shape us.
The empowerment of local Infrastructure On May 5 this year, what October. This makes Ireland a great
authorities to lead the High quality infrastructure is was the most comprehensive We want to double the size place to visit, invest in and to
engagement of citizens critical for a vibrant arts and ever gathering of all the of our TV, film and animation study. A new video “This is
with our arts and culture is culture sector and investment major players in the Creative sector within the next decade. Ireland” was also launched
essential. Beginning in 2018, in this underpins social Media sector was convened by That means not just growing on St Patricks Day, produced
Creative Ireland will establish cohesion and supports strong Creative Ireland at the Royal the domestic sector here and by the Creative Ireland team,
and support an annual County and sustainable economic Hospital Kilmainham to talk produce more top quality, home- highlighting the unique culture
of Culture award, allowing growth. Creative Ireland will about the future of the wider grown Irish TV shows and films, and creative spirit of Ireland, it
each county to showcase its help facilitate consideration of industry, but in particular film, it also means attracting more has been viewed/liked/shared
cultural creativity over a infrastructure priorities on an TV, drama and animation. international productions to over two million times since
12-month period. integrated phased basis. The outcome of that meeting, Ireland. launch.
4 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017
To see your full city/county plan, log on to Ireland.ie
Seven-year-old Laura Fox gets her face painted at
St Stephen’s Green in Dublin during Cruinniú na Cásca.
Right: Heritage Week fun
Culture
vultures
Institutions reveal creative ideas for
years ahead to Celine Naughton
THE ARTS COUNCIL THE HERITAGE COUNCIL
T HE Creative Schools Pro-
gramme is an ambitious
plan that’s set to place arts at the
pursuits. Schools will become
confident in embedding arts in
all of school life and in children’s
and we funded nine. This makes
it possible for artists to come up
with big ideas.
A T a time when children
spend less time outdoors,
the Heritage Council has made
It’s worrying how little children
get out and about today, because
the focus on Health and Safety
heart of every school in Ireland development. Among the successful projects it its business to get them climb- removes kids from nature.”
by 2020. “Studies prove that the earlier funded last year and being real- ing trees. The Heritage Council’s report
The result of a collaboration children become engaged with the ised this year are: For National Heritage Week, on Children and the Outdoors
between the Arts Council and the arts, the better their understand- Q ‘Where We Live’, presented by the highlight of the council’s shows that 20pc of 7 to 11-year-
Department of Education under ing of the world and their place ThisIsPopBaby, and performed calendar, the theme this year is olds have never been in the sea,
the Creative Ireland, the pioneer- in it. They carry that with them during the Dublin Theatre Fes- nature. Running from August and 40pc have never climbed
ing programme aims to change into adult life, making them more tival 2017, which are five plays on 19 to 27, the focus is very much a tree.
the way subjects are taught rounded, empathetic human be- the theme of home and home- on tearing kids away from their “Heritage Week is a great ex-
and learned. It is, according to ings. This is not about producing lessness, created by leading Irish screens and out into the fields cuse for families to get out and
Arts Council director Orlaith more artists, it’s about making playwrights and a cross-section “People usually associate her- about and have fun,” Ms Donnel-
McBride, “a generation-changer”. us more creative as a people. The of host communities in Dublin; itage with castles and buildings, lan says. “The Tidy Towns net-
The programme will develop generation who grow up in these Q ‘Latitude’ by Marie Barrett, a but this is about celebrating our work is pitching in with clean-up
arts and creativity in schools. arts-rich schools will understand film and temporary sculptural natural heritage, who we are, days, there are pollinator plans to
“It’s a transformative plan to the world in a different way.” forms about identity within an where we’ve come from and encourage bees and butterflies,
unlock the creative potential in Also under Creative Ireland, era of shifting borders, which what we find special about the and we’ll be taking a close look at
all children. It means that no the Arts Council is working will be presented at Malin Head, world we live in,” says Niamh our rivers, landscapes, caves and
matter where you live, your child closely with local authorities on Co. Donegal and cross-border Donnellan, Heritage Week Pro- marine life. We’ll examine the
will be educated in an arts-rich what they call a Creative Place areas; ject Manager. relationship between history and
school, where he or she will Programme. Q ‘The Visible’ by Gerard Byrne “There’s a great mix of profes- nature, how people have used the
receive the highest quality of “We’re supporting local au- and Sven Anderson, which is a sional bodies and local communi- land over the years.
artistic experience throughout thorities to maximise the poten- video installation looking at the ty groups who have come up with “Creative Ireland has provid-
school life,” Ms McBride says. tial of the creativity within their concept of ‘the visible’ through amazing ideas. Already we’re on ed a great link between heritage
“Every small town in rural communities and make people international financial move- target for 2,000 events to take officers and arts officers through-
Ireland has an artistic, creative proud of where they live. We ments, marginalised people, dis- place across Ireland, which is an out the country. It’s lovely to
community. We propose harness- can’t underestimate the legacy appearing nature and emerging unprecedented number. see that cross-over and how it’s
ing that by creating synergies: of the 2016 centenary projects. science. “Wild Child Day on August building a new network that
artists will come into schools One that we began last year was Q ‘Crash Ensemble 20x20’, which 23rd is centred around getting enriches the country as a whole
and children will go out and ‘Making Great Art Work – Open is 20 new works by 20 Irish and children outdoors, climbing and helps people to engage with
experience music, dance, visual Call,’ which invited artists to con- international composers, per- trees, building bug hotels, getting their heritage through new and
arts, heritage and other creative tact us with ambitious projects, formed in ten locations. wet and muddy, and having fun. creative ways.”
Saturday 10 June 2017 | Irish Independent YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME | 5
NATIONAL CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
THE NATIONAL GALLERY
T HE countdown is on, with
the long-awaited reopening
of the National Gallery of Ireland
now less than a week away. After
a six-year, €30 million-plus re-
vamp, the gallery finally opens its
doors to the public next Thurs-
day June 15th with a major inter-
national exhibition, Vermeer and
the Masters of Genre Painting.
“It is a project many years
in the planning,” says Director
Sean Rainbird. “Conceived by
the National Gallery of Ireland
and curated by NGI’s Head of
Collections and Research, Dr
Adriaan Waiboer, the exhibition
A woman is a collaboration between the
looks at part National Gallery of Ireland, Na-
of The Freud tional Gallery of Art, Washington
Project, a and The Louvre in Paris.”
collection of A must-see for anyone en-
50 works by chanted by the Delft genius
Lucian Freud, Johannes Vermeer and the
at IMMA Dutch Golden Age between 1650
and 1675, there may be queues
around the block to view the 60
IMMA paintings on display including
NGI’s Vermeer, Lady Writing a
Letter with Her Maid, c. 1670,
W ITH an already active
programme of tours and
workshops for primary and sec-
“Creative Ireland strengthens
what we do,” says Ms Glennie.
“Right now it’s at an early stage
widely regarded as one of the art-
ist’s finest works; Woman with a
Pearl Necklace,1663-4, lent by the
ondary schools, the Irish Muse- of finding out about the potential Staatliche Museen zu Berlin; and
um of Modern Art is constantly in the country and what’s needed The Astronomer, 1668, from the
looking at new ways of nurturing to make great things happen. But Musée du Louvre, Paris. Works
children’s creative talents. This it will develop. The pillar called by contemporaries of Vermeer
year the bold brush strokes and ‘Investing in our Creative and will also feature.
unique style of one of the 20th Cultural Infrastructure’ is im- It’s an exciting exhibition for
Century’s most famous portrait portant for institutions such as art lovers, but after such a long Minister for Arts Heather Humphries and An Taoiseach Enda
artists has given them the mate- ours. It gives us an opportunity wait, nothing less would do. Kenny arrive at the launch of the Creative Ireland Programme
rial to do just that. to plan beyond the next budget Unforeseen structural problems 2017-2022 in The National Gallery
The Freud Project, a collection cycle and think long-term. delayed the planned reopening
of 50 works by the great realist “The art at IMMA is a national last year that was hoped to tie and are very excited to see the of closure, and they have been
painter Lucian Freud, was se- collection and we’re looking at in with the 1916 centenary com- doors of the historic wings re- incredibly patient with us. From
cured by the museum last year ways to make it accessible to all memorations, but now, in the open on June 15th,” says Rain- June 15th, our new presentation
on a five-year loan. This year it citizens. We’re building a new same year that launched Creative bird. “We are acutely aware that of the permanent collection can
will be the inspiration for a new website which will create a digi- Ireland, we have our National our visitors have been missing now be enjoyed in the beautifully
programme for children. tal access not only to images, but Gallery back. the wonderful breadth of the restored spaces of the historic
“Freud took an extremely to our talks and other projects “We have reached a milestone collection during the period Dargan and Milltown wings on
long time to paint his portraits, too. That won’t happen in the Merrion Square, together with
often asking subjects to sit for next year, but Creative Ireland an exciting line-up of exhibitions
hundreds of hours,” says Sarah allows us to think about it as a NATIONAL CONCERT HALL and events.
Glennie, Director of IMMA. “I long-term plan.” “Currently we have an exhi-
have no doubt that children
will be greatly inspired by the
collection when we launch a
Ms Glennie also hopes today’s
budding artists will find ways
of making a living from their
T HE National Concernt
Hall is breaking new
ground with its programme
artists and musicians of
our time, Laurie Anderson,
took up a unique three-
bition on Margaret Clarke: An
Independent Spirit (until 20 Au-
gust), showcasing the work of an
new programme in portraiture chosen profession. over the next year. day residency to create accomplished artist. Following
for them this autumn. “Artists in Ireland struggle so The performances and debut three new the Vermeer exhibition, the gal-
“We have a fantastic team hard to make ends meet, many include a whole range of performances. lery will present exhibitions on
here, who encourage children are forced to go elsewhere, and contemporary artists and Also coming up is a Käthe Kollwitz, Frederic William
to really think about how they that’s a great loss to this country,” classical programmes, significant residency by Burton, and a display on The War
feel about art, and express them- she says. exploring the boundaries of one of the country’s leading Landscapes of William Orpen.
selves in creative ways. It’s not To stem the loss of talent, the music and bringing in new traditional musicians, “We hope that the improve-
about putting them in front of museum launched its IMMA perspectives. fiddler Martin Hayes ments will give an enhanced
a pen and paper. We’ll be en- 1000 campaign, asking business In this initiative, the The music in education visitor experience, with clearer
couraging children to come and people to donate to invest in Irish National Concert Hall is programme will also heavily orientation and easier navigation
make their own creative work, in artists. IMMA also announced endeavouring to draw in a involve the concert hall, about the galleries. Our visitors
poetry, film, sound and drawing. four new artist residencies, three range of different audiences. which will help to bring on will be able to engage more
It helps them to express how they new purchases for the national An example of this a whole new generation smoothly with the collections
see their place in the world. It’s collection, and ongoing support approach came last month, of musicians and a love of and public programming, both
creative learning.” of artists to present new work. when one of the seminal performance art. onsite and digitally.”
6 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017
To see your full city/county plan, log on to Ireland.ie
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY THE IRISH FILM BOARD
N EXT week the National
Library of Ireland opens a
one-week exhibition of personal
“Another Creative Ire-
land project we’re very excit-
ed about is the opening of a
W ITH Dublin-based Ele-
ment Pictures picking up
the Best Screenplay gong for The
two boys who share a room at a
rugby-obsessed boarding school.
Q Delinquent Season, directed
letters between two giants of Seamus Heaney exhibition to Killing of a Sacred Deer at this by Mark Rowe. Marital bliss is
Irish literature, WB Yeats and be launched when the new year’s Cannes Film Festival, it not all it seems when the cracks
James Joyce. Acquired by the Cultural Heritage Centre in the seems Irish film is riding high on appear. Stars Cillian Murphy.
library from the Yeats family Bank of Ireland, College Green a global scale like never before. Q It’s Not Yet Dark, directed by
with €500,000 government is built,” says Dr Collins. It comes after one of the most Frankie Fenton. A poignant tale
funding, the correspondence “It’s expected to be completed successful years in the industry. based on the real-life story of
goes on public display in a week in early summer next year, and An unprecedented nine nom- film-maker Simon Fitzmaurice’s
that commemorates both Yeats’s this will be the first exhibition inations for Irish films at the experience of motor neuron
birthday (June 13) and Blooms- to open in this space. It will be 2016 Oscars led to two awards, disease.
day (June 16). a celebration of the poet’s life, including Best Actress for Brie Q The Young Offenders, a debut
“The letters show the friend- his works, and the effect he had Larson in Lenny Abrahamson’s feature from director Peter Foot.
ship and loyalty between the on Irish culture. Room, and Best Short Film for Two Cork inner-city teenagers
two writers over a period of 24 “Currently we have an exhi- Stutterer by Benjamin Cleary. Is embark on a road trip on stolen
years,” says National Library bition of Hot Press magazine it possible to top such a perfect Moe Dunford and Nicholas bikes in the hopes of finding an
Director Dr Sandra Collins. “In covers in the National Photo- patch? Galitzine in Handsome Devil unrecovered bale of cocaine.
one, Joyce writes, ‘It’s been two graphic Archive in Meeting “It’s very unusual to have so Q The Breadwinner, an animated
decades since you have held out House Square in Temple Bar. many major nominations and of creativity in everything we do. film by Cartoon Saloon, directed
to me your helping hand.’ We It’s a celebration of social com- awards for Irish film in one year, “It also helps to promote Irish by Nora Twomey and executive
can’t have them on display for mentary and pop culture over but momentum is gathering films abroad. We screened and produced by Mimi Polk Gitlin
long, because they’d be damaged the last 40 years, with signed about creativity in Irish film, sold a lot of films at the Cannes and Angelina Jolie.
by light and heat, but for us, this blown-up covers, and one wall TV drama, animation, computer festival, including an exciting Q Maze, directed by Stephen
was an important acquisition devoted to artists who have died. games — everything to do with line-up of projects coming down Burke. Inspired by the true
which enhances the largest “People have preconceptions audio visual production,” says the track.” events of the infamous 1983 pris-
collection of Yeats material in of the National Library as being James Hickey, CEO of the Irish The following are some new on breakout of 38 IRA prisoners
the world, and we’re thrilled to all about books, but it’s much Film Board (IFB). Irish-made films to watch out from HMP Maze high security
show it to the public.” more. We keep copies of all “The Creative Ireland ini- for: prison, which was to become the
It’s one of the highlights of periodicals, newspapers and tiative has been going for five Q Handsome Devil, directed biggest prison escape in Europe
Literature Month at the library. magazines of all kinds, we put months and already one of its by John Butler. Starring Amy since World War II. It stars Tom
Other free events include a on talks, plays, musical and greatest successes is in raising Huberman and Ardal O’Hanlon, Vaughan-Lawlor, better known
one-woman play about Joyce’s other events, and everything consciousness of the importance this is the coming-of-age story of as Love/Hate’s Nidge.
wife in her twilight years on we do is free. Occasionally, a
June 14 at 7pm, and on Blooms- singer or performer may charge
day, there’s Joyce at the Opera, a small fee, but this is a national THE ABBEY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
a lunchtime concert of Italian cultural institution, and we’re
THEATRE
music and culture.
A large painting of the eyes of
paid through public funding,
so everybody can have access T HE National Museum re-
mains one of our most im-
All four museum locations
will have a role to play with the
Irish writers donated by Danish
painter Claus Havemann will be
unveiled this month; visitors
to our collections.”
The library has also part-
nered with UCD in turning New-
O NLY eight months into the
job, the Abbey Theatre’s
co-directors Graham McLaren
portant cultural institutions
bringing an understanding of
our past and our present to
Creative Ireland programme:
Q Archaeology, located in
Kildare Street in Dublin;
can have fun identifying whose man House into Ulysses Centre, and Neil Murray have brought those of all ages from home and Q Decorative arts and history,
eyes belong to which writer. to house its Joyce collection. a new energy to the national abroad. located at Collins Barracks,
theatre. Productions for the year With record visitor numbers Dublin;
have more than doubled from last year, the museum continues Q Country life, located at
14 shows last year to 35 in 2017. to develop exciting programmes Turlough Park in Co Mayo;
Their modus operandi is to onsite, as well as outreach and Q Natural History, located at
put on a lot more shows for education initiatives. Merrion Square in Dublin.
shorter runs, a dynamic that
ensures the theatre is busier
than ever for actors, staff and
audience alike. CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY
Add the launch of Creative
Ireland to the mix, and the stage
looks set not just for a breath of
fresh air to blow through the
T HE Chester Beatty
Library is turning
Japanese this summer with
throughout the season you
can drop in for Qi Gong
Chinese meditation at the
theatre, but a gale force wind its temporary exhibition of rooftop garden, or join an
to come and shake things up Japanese prints inspiring interactive tour for people
good and proper. Abbey Theatre workshops in kimono- with dementia and their
director Neil Murray has met making, origami, Sumi-e loved ones.
with the Creative Ireland team black ink painting and other “We’re the only national
and says: “We’re excited by the exotic arts and crafts. Other institution with a global
breadth of the initiative and the cultures are also celebrated artistic heritage,” says
opportunities it will hold for the in creative ways. Director Fionnuala Croke.
Abbey going forward.” On June 29th its Creative “Inter-cultural dialogue
Given the important role of the Teens Film Lab invites and learning is part of our
national theatre in our collective young people to come along ethos, we reach out to as
Arts minister Heather Humphreys, Dr Sandra Collins, Director history, the Abbey will continue to for pizza and a screening many people as possible,
of the National Library of Ireland and Caitríona Yeats, be a vital part of the development of Sing Street, a film and that includes the
granddaughter of WB Yeats at a reception in the NLI to mark of the country’s creativity and the about a boy growing up in newest members of the Irish
the acquisition of a significant number of Yeats manuscripts Creative Ireland programme. Dublin in the 1980s, and community.”
Saturday 10 June 2017 | Irish Independent YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME | 7
CREATIVE IRELAND DUBLIN CITY
The Nigerian Carnival
production of William
Butler Yeats’ ‘The Only
Jealousy of Emer’
(right), which was
designed by Robert
Ballagh and directed by
Ray Yeates.
The Cruinniú na Cásca
festival saw plenty of
fun for the youngest
Dubliners. Far right:
Niamh Murphy (5)
from Clontarf enjoys
the merry-go-round
while (far right, below)
Caroline Lima from
Brazil tries her hand at
some street art graffiti
at Smithfield
FRANK MCGRATH
City where creativity has been
valued since the rare old times
from June 1 to September 10. years. There are now three
The capital has a rich heritage which Creative Ireland Barbara is also excited about an readers in residence, working
can help you to explore fully, writes Andrea Smith exhibition in the autumn called
Ocean after Nature, which
with primary school children
in the school environment and
forms part of the gallery’s young people in non-school
D
UBLIN has an creativity, and heritage, placing programme will heighten the Artist as Witness programme. settings, such as youth clubs
enviable worldwide culture at the heart of Dublin’s awareness of the work already It looks at the environmental and community centres.
reputation for its identity and quality of life,” he being carried out by the artistic changes that are happening to Julianne Mooney is one
creativity and culture. says. community, art curators, oceans throughout the world. of the readers who goes into
It hosts many of the country’s Dublin City believes that directors and managers Dublin City’s Creative DEIS (Delivering Equality
largest festivals, as well as culture is also central to the throughout the country. It Ireland Team, led by City of Opportunity) schools and
international, national and capital’s relationship with will also support developing Librarian, Margaret Hayes, introduces children and
local events across the city, Ireland, Europe and the rest new projects and promises will foster and encourage young people to a wide range
celebrating literary life, music of the world. Its Creative to encourage innovation and creative activity through the of carefully chosen reading
and dance, visual arts, heritage Ireland programme aims to new thinking. It will focus on plans for 2017. The UNESCO material. She is delighted
and traditions. build on the success of the bringing greater awareness City of Literature Office has that the Reader in Residence
Dublin is a UNESCO City of 1916 commemorations and to what’s happening in the been running the Reader programme has been
Literature, an international place culture and creative city, and nurturing and in Residence Programme highlighted in Dublin City’s
designation in recognition of communities at the centre of encouraging new projects that successfully for a number of Creative Ireland programme.
its cultural profile and global public policy. Its particular will be accessed by the diverse Teachers are often so busy
‘‘
standing as a city of literary focus will be leading the communities in Dublin.” following the curricula that they
excellence. engagement of citizens with Barbara feels that the don’t have time to introduce
According to Brendan arts and culture. programme’s support in children to fun books that will
Teeling, Creative Ireland The council also feels that developing and nurturing capture their imagination, so
co-ordinator for Dublin City culture is central to human creative arts will be a great she feels that the service is vital
Council, the new programme
will help the various sections
development, which is a view
shared by Barbara Dawson,
help in enriching communities
and providing greater access
We’re trying in fostering a lifelong love of
reading in children.
of the council to work together
to bring even more events and
director of Dublin City Gallery
the Hugh Lane.
for people.
Her own gallery will host
to instil a love She delivers a programme of
planned activities to encourage
programmes to the city and its “Our cultural expression is artist Anne Madden in and passion the children to see reading as
suburbs. one of our most human forms conversation on June 29. a fun and worthwhile activity.
“We aim to make it easier of expression, and supporting Anne’s exhibition, Colours of for books “We’re trying to instil a love and
for Dubliners and visitors that is a very good idea,” she the Wind – Ariadne’s Thread, passion for books in them,” she
to get involved with culture, says. “The Creative Ireland is on view at the gallery in them explains. “Some children just
8 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017
To see your full city plan for Dublin, log on to Ireland.ie
Victoria Kuczynska (5) from Waterford pictured on a giant bench at Cruinniú
na Cásca at Smithfield; right, Tori O’Connor (10), a pupil of St Mary Help of
Christians School, at the opening of the Ludo exhibition in Cabra Library,
commissioned by Dublin City Council’s Children’s Art in Libraries programme
read at school and that’s it, so cultural asset. Plans for this explore recreated tenement tenements to document their about the Children’s Art in
we try to introduce new books, year include the opening of homes from the early 1900s and experiences, which will form Libraries programme and the
authors and genres to them.” Tenement Museum Dublin the mid 20th Century. part of the new museum. “The Early Years Arts Training and
Julianne says that these at Henrietta Street in August, Heritage officer, Charles oral history process has been Residency programmes. She
programmes can be hugely and it will be an important Duggan, was in charge of a really fascinating way of likes that they offer families and
important to a child’s new addition to the cultural the project, and he is excited documenting the life of people children and opportunity to
development. She has infrastructure and story of the about it as he feels there is a that generally wouldn’t be experience the arts in their local
encountered children who don’t city’s past. Visitors will be able growing awakening around written down or documented in neighbourhoods.
have books at home because to delve into the rich social, Ireland about our 20th Century history books,” he says. “Research has proven that
everything is online these days, cultural and architectural social history. He and his team Assistant arts officer, engagement with the arts
and they have a perception that histories of this house, and spoke to people who lived in Sinéad Connolly, is passionate at an early age improves
books are “boring”. cognitive and social skills and
“You could meet a child who
DUBLIN CITY of invention, creativity and
communication,” she says.
says, ‘I don’t like reading,’” she
says. “Seeing them so excited 1 The Irish Revolution
1916–1923. This three-
part lecture series in HighLIGHTS resourcefulness at Merrion
Square on July 22.
“It also develops children’s
potential to go on and create
to get to the library at the end for themselves. This develops
of the session is wonderful. If June looks at the road to www.dublinmaker.ie over time, but if you don’t
we can make that difference to independence post-1916 focus on it early on in a child’s
Rising at various libraries in Rose Festival. Music,
children, it gets them excited
about books and gives them Dublin. www.dublincity.ie 7 market stalls, a pop-
up library, living history
development they can grow up
lagging behind in terms of what
access to other worlds through they’re able for. Without early
The Kite Festival. displays and falconry from
the pages. If you start reading
books at a young age, you carry 2 A day of fun on June
18 on North Bull Island,
July 15 to 16 at St Anne’s
Park.
engagement, it can close them
down to the possibility of critical
that love through life.” and creative thinking later on in
The programme aims to help Clontarf, with music, kite- www.dublincity.ie life. They can be more inhibited
children and young people making workshops and a around finding solutions to
kite-flying competition. Liberties Festival.
to engage both their critical
thinking skills and their creative www.dublinkitefestival.ie
Kerslake in Druid’s version
8 Multi-cultural and arts
programme that runs
things and thinking laterally.”
Sinéad says that by pooling
capacities to facilitate a deeper resources with other agencies,
Dublin Pride. of Eugene McCabe’s from July 17 to 22.
engagement with reading for
pleasure. The readers introduce 3 Celebrations, spectacles
and extravaganzas
King of the Castle. www.
dublintheatrefestival.com
www.libertiesfestival.ie
they can create a programme
of training for early years
them to the resources available educators that will have a long-
celebrating LGBTQ diversity Hotter Than July. Free
to them in their local library
by arranging tours of either from June 18 to 24.
www.dublinpride.ie 5 Summer Programme
for Children. Free
9 festival of World Music
at Smithfield Square on
term impact.
She likes that Creative Ireland
Charleville Mall Library or the encourages collaborative
Central Library. The programme activities and fun events July 30. www.dublin.ie approaches in developing
Dublin Theatre for children at their local
is delivered in partnership
with home school community 4 Festival. Celebrating
its 60th anniversary with
library (Cabra Library
pictured above) this 10 Opera in the Open.
Free operatic
services for citizens, as she feels
that gathering people together
liaison teachers, schools, youth to tackle common problems
projects, and other community- 18 days of world-class July and August. www. performances every and share resources is very
based agencies. theatre. Already announced dublincitypubliclibraries.ie Thursday in August at beneficial.
Dublin’s built and natural are Dermot Bolger’s the Dublin Civic Office’s “I think it’s a very positive way
Dublin Maker. Free,
heritage helps to shape the
city’s character and is a unique
adaptation of Ulysses and
Seán McGinley and Seána 6 family-friendly showcase
Amphitheatre.
www.dublin.ie
forward in terms of thinking,”
she concludes.
Saturday 10 June 2017 | Irish Independent YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME | 9
CREATIVE IRELAND FINGAL
Fast-growing Fingal values
It has a very young population but
is a very old place and the County
Council is determined to connect
both, writes Tanya Sweeney
F
INGAL may have one of with Uilleann Piper, Séamus
the youngest and fastest Ennis as is demonstrated by
growing populations the strong creative and cultural
in the country – the programme of the Séamus
majority of its citizens are under Ennis Cultural Centre.”
35 – but in among this new- Little wonder that Fingal
found dynamism, there lies a County Council’s programme
brilliantly-rich heritage and endeavours to marry the
history. old and the new; to get
“As a county council, we have communities engaged with the
more heritage and historical arts and more involved with the
buildings than the OPW,” area’s bounty of history. And
notes Fingal County Council’s the programme runs the gamut,
special projects co-ordinator from sport and libraries to
Eithne Mallin. “In Dublin 15 theatre and music.
alone, there are 91 historical Projects like Buried in Fingal
monuments. I don’t think – which encourages locals
people in Fingal are aware that to explore any of Fingal’s 33
the council has such strong burial grounds – and Digging
links to Irish heritage and For Swords, a community
culture. archaeology project, are
“Fingal County Council has a among the Fingal programme’s
substantial number of historic highlights.
buildings and monuments in “We invite people to work
its ownership, like Malahide with us and effectively become
Castle, Newbridge House, archaeologists for a few days,”
Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, explains Gerry Clabby, Fingal
Bremore Castle and the recently County Council’s heritage
restored Swords Castle. The officer. “Modern heritage is
Council is hugely invested in the about connecting people with
history and built heritage of the places and help people build a
county and raising the profile real connection with places, like
and knowledge of these and Swords, that have been there for as a dramatic backdrop to their Yet with a wide swathe of opportunity to do that, and we
other monuments in our care is 800 years,” he says. projects,” notes Caroline Cowley, citizens, not everyone living in have so much to learn from
very important to us.” “We have a very young public art co-ordinator for Final Fingal is culturally on the same other communities.”
And Fingal is a rich and population but it’s a very old County Council. page. “We have to capture the
unique tapestry of landscapes place, and we want to connect “The other great thing is that “The challenge is that the diversity of communities and to
too, from lively suburbs to both and make people feel the people in Fingal are always arts and culture are deemed remind people of the amenities
gorgeous coastlines. rooted there. When people hear so open and welcoming, that to be highbrow,” notes Mallin. free and open to them. And
“We have big urban towns, about heritage, they think it’s when it comes to any artist “People think about the idea when you’re the fastest growing
like Blanchardstown, that are all to do with the past, but it’s visiting the county, locals go of going to the theatre and population in the country and
effectively cities, but in other about bringing the past into the over and above with their think, ‘well, I don’t do that’. continue to be, the onus is on
rural parts, we have farmers present and reanimating old hospitality. It’s a real draw for Within Dublin 15 alone, we us to foster that creativity in
ploughing fields 45 minutes stories.” people.” have towns like Castleknock young people, as the future will
from O’Connell Bridge,” says Others, meanwhile, lean into and Mulhuddart, so the aim is be theirs.”
‘‘
Rory Byrne, Fingal’s county arts the area’s topography: Resort to find (events and initiatives) An open meeting earlier in
officer. “As far as The Naul or Revelations, for instance, invites that appeal to everyone.” the year saw council officials
Oldtown, people speak Irish, artists and creatives spend And with a fast-growing convene with both local artists
and where once the qualified week long periods at Lynder’s population comes another and community members;
young artists of Fingal would Mobile Home Park in Portrane, new wealth: that of different the results are writ large over
have gone to Temple Bar, where gathering, processing and The challenge nationalities, cultures and Fingal County Council’s diverse
there is no studio space, now engaging with the local area and histories. And, says, Mallin, programme.
they are staying closer to home. its people, as researchers and is that the arts there is room for everyone’s “This session was recorded
“Fingal has a cultural holiday makers. voice. on the night and will be
tradition that links back to “Whether the area is urban and culture are “Integration has been a big available on the Council
maritime/coastal heritage,” adds or coastal, there have been a lot issue in some areas, and this website for all artists to
Mallin. “In addition, we have of things in Fingal that artists deemed to be is our opportunity to work on watch and listen and submit
links to traditional Irish music are excited about visually, and that,” she notes. “Our creative ideas for inclusion in the
through our strong connections many of them like to use Fingal highbrow programme offers us the programme,” notes Mallin.
10 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017To see your full county plan for Fingal, log on to Ireland.ie
its rich cultural heritage
FINGAL
1 In Creative
Conversation
HighLIGHTS has
resident
an
will take opportunity
place throughout the to present new work during
year: Through the the Bleeding Pig Festival in
medium of film, these Portrane.
diverse conversations
about creativity in Fingal
Clockwise from left:
Star of the Sea presented will be recorded and
shared over the five-year
6 The Hide Sculpture,
at Balleally Landfill, is
a large-scale permanent
by Moonfish Theatre
Company at Draiocht, programme, and will build sculpture by Garrett
Blanchardstown; Pearl a digital repository of its Phelan. A schedule of talks
O’Sullivan uses a swab developing, dynamic and and events is scheduled
during the conservation unique creative culture. at the Hide Sculpture,
of Jan Wyck’s painting, Balleally to celebrate the
Space Invaders returns Birdwatching Season.
‘The Battle of the Boyne’
at Malahide Castle; Russ 2 to Farmleigh in the
Phoenix Park this year with
Scott with Nina and
Conor Sheahan at the a programme for kids up to
five years.
7 Buried in Fingal
(pictured) provides
scans and indexes of all
Brian Boru celebrations
in Swords Castle; and burial records for the 33
From June onwards, burial grounds in Fingal.
(below right) one of the
Buried in Fingal digs, 3 Songs For Our Children
will create new, age-
Locals can learn about the
historical details of each
which encourages locals
to explore Fingal’s 33 appropriate traditional burial ground.
burial grounds songs for Fingal’s youngest
citizens, which will be During National
performed at a premiere
concert in the National
8 Biodiversity Week a
photographic exhibition
“The Fingal Creative Culture needs are, the more we can and the latter in particular
Team is currently assessing the come up with options that they continue to provide a great Library of Ireland in showcasing Biodiversity
feedback from this session to can avail of.” service in terms of non-formal December. in Fingal will be held
explore opportunities/synergies And with Fingal’s five- educational schemes. in County Hall, Swords.
The Atrium, County Hall,
for collaboration between
artists, business, community
year strategy already on
its sea legs, thanks to a
“Above all else, I’d like to
ensure that every community 4 The Flavours of Fingal
is a three-day festival
packed with events at
Swords, May 19-27.
and third level.” barnstorming Cruinniu na member is asked about what
Newbridge House & Farm As part of the Fingal
Artists sustaining a living
remains an ongoing struggle,
Casca event at Swords Castle
on Easter Sunday, Mallin hopes
they’d like to see, so that
everyone can have their say and on June 23, 24, 25 with
Show Competitions, Vintage
9 Fleadh reunion, 15
Traditional Irish music
yet Fingal’s Creative Ireland that enabling creativity in every that all voices will be heard.”
strategy hopes to build on the child in every school in the area O’Byrne adds that giving Vehicles, Food, Crafts, Music, bands will play on Saturday
opportunities already in pace will be achieved by 2022. artists the opportunities Newbridge House, Petting September 16 and Sunday
for creatives. “The creative culture team is to flourish on the local and Zoo, Workshops, Sheepdog September 17 in Swords
“What I would tell artists working closely with Draíocht national stages, and facilitating Trials, and Horseback Castle and along the Main
is that they have to identify Theatre in Dublin 15 to capture the creative wants and needs Jousting. Street, Swords.
whether their local authority the voice of young people with of locals, will result in an even
The Sheeplawn
has an arts service, and to
remember that they have a
regards to the Arts and Culture
in Fingal,” reveals Mallin. “This
richer cultural scene for Fingal.
“If you think about it, if you 5 Resort Residency
invites artists, curators
and academics to spend
10 Rubyfest (July 29)
is a community celebration
responsibility in giving you a will be the first time young take away what is cultural,
hand, whether that’s monetary people between the ages of 13 what do you have left? week long periods at of the 40th anniversaries
support or having a network and 18 have been asked for their Certainly no fun or laughter,” Lynder’s Mobile Home Park of the Sheepmoor and
of people that can provide input into the Creative Culture he surmises. “Creativity adds in Portrane, gathering, Fortlawn estates in Dublin
support,” says Cowley. “Once Programme for Fingal and is a to the quality of everyone’s life. processing and engaging 15, which will include
that conversation with the very exciting opportunity for us We won’t die without cinema, with the local area and community murals and
authority opens up, they will in the county. sport or history, but it will its people, as researchers celebrations aimed at new
begin to identify you. The more “Our officers have already certainly make us all the poorer and holiday makers. The and older residents.
artists communicate what their been to schools and libraries, spiritually.”
Saturday 10 June 2017 | Irish Independent YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME | 11CREATIVE IRELAND SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY
South Dublin
rocks — and not
just musically
Novel project urges people to retrace the steps of the
heroic Oisín of Tír na nÓg, writes Celine Naughton
NSPIRED by Oisín of Tír the foot of the mountain to a We’ll be asking our workers,
I na nÓg who is said to have
once carried a gigantic
boulder through the
Dublin Mountains, Ciarán
Taylor came up with a novel
idea for South Dublin County’s
Creative Ireland programme.
cairn at the top, mid-summer to
mid-summer. We’ve pencilled in
June 24 for the first walk.”
This is just one of many
innovative ideas to have the
backing of South Dublin
County’s Creative Ireland
when do you need to be
energised the most? George and
I will then create songs around
that, which will be performed
by the workers themselves.
The project will conclude with
a concert representing all the
His project, Rock to the Top, programme. Another is Work businesses involved.”
invites people to retrace the Songs, a musical portrait of the Writer Nathan O’Donnell
footsteps of the legendary modern workplace in Dublin is reaching out to a younger
hero in a series of walks and devised by singer Fiona Dowling audience with his Creative
gatherings. and composer George Higgs. Ireland project, The Mill,
Mere mortals are not “I sing with a choir from the inspired by the Clondalkin
expected to heave heavy rocks Republic of Georgia, where Paper Mills Action Group, which
on their backs. However, a large folk songs are still very much led a series of major strikes and
boulder will be placed outside alive,” says Fiona. “Work and occupations in 1982-83.
the Rua Red Arts Centre in singing go hand in hand. I’m “I will be engaging with
Tallaght, and participants will very touched by the idea of young people aged 16 to 24,” he
break it up and carry pieces singing while performing tasks says. “It’s a demographic that’s
through the mountains to build involving hard, physical labour. disconnected from the idea of
a cairn at the top of Kippure. “People here are often on politics. There’s an apathy there,
“When I heard the call-out computers, which doesn’t quite and this is a way to open up the
from Creative Ireland for radical lend itself to making music, but relevance of politics to young
projects, it occurred to me that I wondered what kind of songs people’s lives.
the radical thing these days we could weave into the modern “When the paper mills closed
is to slow down,” says Ciarán. working day in Ireland. in Clondalkin, people compared
“You can drive to Kippure in “Having had our proposal it with the closure of the mining
half an hour, but it’s a stunning accepted, George and I are now towns in the UK. At the time,
three-hour walking route from in the process of identifying five Clondalkin was still a village,
Tallaght up through Gleann na companies who will take part separate from the city, and this
Smól and Bohernabreena. We in the process, and we’d love to was a seismic event. People still
won’t always do the entire route, hear from any local businesses talk of the sense of betrayal, the
sometimes it will be in stages, interested in doing so. scale of the loss, and the impact
and there will often be surprise “In Georgia, half of a it had on so many families in
performances on the way, with workforce will often sing in this one community.
music, storytelling and poetry. order to energise the other half. “Locals then showed
Local farmers will explain how solidarity and supported the
they farm the land here, we’ll
‘‘
strikers. There are protests in
pick blackberries, taste local the air today too, people are the largest population of Irish centenary commemorations.
honey and have picnics on the becoming politically mobilised speakers in the county, many That really resonated with
mountain. and that makes this project of whom gather regularly at a people, particularly in
“In today’s fast-paced world, relevant and timely. It will host of events in Áras Chrónáin, young and culturally diverse
I wanted to provide a way for
people to connect with the
People still talk continue throughout 2017 and
culminate next year in a series
a cultural centre set on almost
three acres in the heart of the
communities like ours. It
demonstrated how the arts can
landscape and each other. Rock of the sense of of workshops for young people village. reflect and even help to bring
to the Top is about observing in writing, photography, field “We have a solid foundation about social development and
the seasons, getting in tune with betrayal, the trips to print museums, and of arts in the county, but the political change.”
nature, meeting people and designing and printing their Creative Ireland programme Under the first pillar of
having conversations. But it also scale of the loss own posters.” puts an extra focus on Creative Ireland – Enabling the
has a purpose – to get this rock Today, Clondalkin is being community engagement,” says Creative Potential of Every Child
up the mountain. and the promoted as a key heritage Arts Officer Orla Scannell. – the council is introducing
“I expect it will take a year centre under the Creative “It’s directly connected with five awards of €2,000 each to
to transform the boulder at impact it had Ireland umbrella. It boasts the participation in last year’s promote drama, dance and
12 | CREATIVE IRELAND PROGRAMME YOUR COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE TO GETTING CREATIVE IN 2017 Irish Independent | Saturday 10 June 2017You can also read
