Intertale/Eutopia Stop 19: Eire - Counties Wicklow, Kilkenny and Carlow.

17 Feb

The second part of my rural Eire journey took me from Co. Donegal via Derry in Ulster to the South-East of the country.

Deep whistle stop exchanges took place with the hyper-inspirational Kate Strain from Kunstverein Aughrim who is implementing novel models of artist and curatorial development in this tiny Wicklow town. Having come from the Grazer Kunstverein, Kate is full of international ideas and connections which she can now translate meaningfully into her new life in her new home. Three artists a year are supported intensively with curatorial advice, contacts and an exhibition at her newly established town centre location. Combining home, place and global connections is a way of working, that I truly admire. All coming together with a giant artist placed granite rock in the middle of the office/home/gallery embodying the Kunstverein’s principle. Thank you Kate for the ideas, the pottery cups, the Guinness, the curry and the deep conversations. Hospitality at its best.

Meanwhile Mark and Leah of Muine Bheag Arts are bringing artists from all over to their how home town in county Carlow. The artist couple hosts a temporary programme of exhibitions, workshops & events in the town. Their aim is to promote contemporary art outside the city context, to collaborate with the local community through multi-disciplinary arts activities and to support artists by commissioning new work. This has led among many more to the conversion of a lochkeeper’s shed on the river Barrow into a sauna as well as a community radio project.

The visit was crowned by meeting the indefatigable Rosie Lynch and some of her colleagues from Workhouse Union at Fennely’s of Callan who turned the 2500 souls counting town of Callan into a place where culture, community, heritage and green spaces meet in every corner. The visit also included looking at the KCAT, an arts centre that comes out of the Camphill movement with studio spaces and learning programmes, where people of all abilities can make art (and it is warm!!).

Thank you Eire. You are all amazing.