Creative Places Kilfinane is led by Ballyhoura Development CLG, who, alongside a creative practitioner, will implement a participative community lead research and development project in the months ahead encouraging open access to great art in our community, a new understanding and appreciation of the work of artists, and a deep understanding of the myriad tangible benefits the arts bring to us all for connection, integration, participation and sense of place.
The Creative Places Programme is a programme for places around Ireland that have not had opportunities to benefit from sustained investment in the arts and creativity.
An opportunity for places to newly benefit from sustained arts investment to build local arts programmes with local people.
There are now 19 locations around Ireland that have received Creative Places funding.
Each Creative Place has a coordinator or researcher who, alongside their community, explores, discuss and plans a range of brilliant creative and participatory projects for local people to take part in and enjoy. The approach is inclusive and diverse and rooted in socially engaged arts practice and community development principles. It builds on existing cultural strengths and is led by community participation and ideas and supported by artists.
The new Creative Places for 2023 were Enniscorthy (Wexford) Balbriggan (Fingal), MacUíllíam (Tallaght), and Uíbh Ráthaigh (Kerry) for three-year programmes. While Edgeworthstown (Longford), Ballyconnell (Cavan), and Ballaghaderreen (Roscommon) received research awards.
In 2024 the following locations were awarded Creative Places funding: Darndale (Dublin), Athy (Kildare County Council), Tuam (Galway) and Edenderry (Offaly) who have completed their Creative Places three-year award have been awarded funding to continue into the next phase of their development. Ballyhoura Development CLG (Limerick) and Cork City Council have both been awarded a Research and Development Award.
Ballyhoura Development are delighted to share the appointment of Creative Practitioner Katie O Rourke who will facilitate the development of the Creative Places Research and Development Award in Kilfinane:
With a background in Youth Theatre and Fine Art, Printmaking, Katie hopes to unlock the creative potential in everyone in the community of Kilfinane. With community collaboration at the core of this project, Katie plans to co create a vibrant, creative place for all. Working with local artists, schools, group committees, local businesses, and the broader community closely to create a deep understanding and knowledge of the arts and the scope of its uses through a range of accessible, taster workshops. Katie hopes to ensure that the community experience a broad range of the arts and discover what Kilfinane needs and wants to develop a creative plan. With this research and development award, Katie hopes to identify what exactly the town of Kilfinane needs to thrive creatively for all and will develop a creative places plan that aspires to attract a larger Arts Council Creative Places Award.
Katie is looking forward to working with everyone on this exciting journey and welcomes everyone to reach out directly on [email protected] or 083-0413471.
Creative Places Kilfinane hosted two inspiring art workshops with award-winning artist Celina Buckley, where local children and adults explored creativity through collage, storytelling, and pen & ink illustration. Read more
Two free taster printmaking workshops were delivered by Limerick Printmakers at the Ballyhoura Apple Farm — one for children and one for adults. Read more
A creative engagement workshop was held at Scoil Fhionáin, Kilfinane’s local primary school. Read more
Two youth consultation workshops took place at Scoil Pól, Kilfinane’s local secondary school as part of the Creative Places Kilfinane project. Read more
A dedicated co-creative workshop was recently held with the Kilfinane Arts, Crafts & Traditional Skills Group. Read more
The Creative Places Kilfinane Project key public engagement activity took place during the Kilfinane St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Read more