As part of the ongoing Creative Places Kilfinane – Research and Development Award project, a key public engagement activity took place during the Kilfinane St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on the 17th of March 2025.

The event marked a significant milestone in the early phase of the project, offering a valuable opportunity to introduce the initiative to the wider community and encourage participation.

Creative Places Kilfinane created a dedicated pre-parade engagement zone designed to be inclusive and welcoming, offering the community a chance to learn more about the project and engage in hands-on creative activities. The setup aimed to spark interest, generate conversations, and highlight the project’s central aim: to explore and develop Kilfinane’s creative potential through community-led collaboration.

A group of Transition Year students from Scoil Pól, Kilfinane volunteered to support the event, helping to manage activities and welcome participants. Their involvement exemplifies the youth-focused, intergenerational approach at the heart of the programme.

Activities and Participation

The activities included:

• A collaborative community artwork facilitated by the project’s Creative Practitioner, encouraging children and young people to contribute drawings and paintings reflecting celebration, identity, and imagination.

• Face painting for children and parade-goers, featuring Irish flags, shamrocks, and festive designs.

• Live music and performances, creating a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere in the town square.

• Informal conversations with residents about the role of creativity in the community and how they can get involved in the project.

This event successfully engaged a broad demographic and served as an informal consultation opportunity to begin identifying local interests and creative themes.

The St. Patrick’s Day event demonstrated strong community interest in the project and highlighted the value of creative engagement as a tool for connection and inclusion.

Next Steps

The Creative Practitioner, Katie O’Rourke, will continue to facilitate a series of creative taster workshops, school engagements, and community conversations over the coming months. These activities will feed into the development of a Creative Places Plan for Kilfinane, reflecting the town’s needs, aspirations, and creative potential.

Community members, artists, educators, and local groups interested in contributing to the process are invited to contact Katie directly at  [email protected] or 083-0413471.