Creative Ireland’s Living Artfully brings communities together - Kilkenny Live

Participants, artists, and community partners came together in the beautiful surroundings of Borris House on Friday, 14 November, to celebrate Living Artfully – a Creative Ireland initiative that has fostered creativity, connection, and wellbeing across Carlow and Kilkenny over the past 18 months.

The celebration brought together nine community arts projects developed through Living Artfully, each led by a professional artist working closely with local groups and organisations. Participants shared their creative work and reflected on their experiences, highlighting how art can bring people together,
build confidence, and create meaningful change in everyday life.

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Participants of the Living Artfully project commented;
“This has changed my life; it’s the thing I look forward to every week this group is my lifeline.”
“I had no idea I could do these things, I feel like an artist, I’m doing lots of art at home too, I love it.”
“It’s a whole new world for me, I see things differently now, its opened my eye
to beauty, bigtime!”
“When I sing, I remember all the words and I remember how I felt when I used
to go to dances when I was younger, it makes me very happy.”

Attendees at the event included representatives from Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils, Creative Ireland, as well as local TDs and public representatives, with Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council noting that Living Artfully has been “a great initiative across the two
counties, to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to engage with art practices. And today, we’re here to sample the output of work by all participants, and it really brings to the fore the positive impact this project has had.”

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD said that he was “delighted to be able to celebrate this fantastic occasion, that really goes to show that when two local authorities come together you can really create something special. Massive congratulations to all involved.”

The event was a beautiful, emotional and resonant gathering, showcasing the many ways creativity has supported people and communities over the past year and a half. There were moving musical performances from the Singing for Memory groups in both Kilkenny and Carlow, made up of people living with early–onset dementia or memory loss and their carers.

Paintings and visual artwork from a wide range of groups were on display, as well as powerful quilting
and textile work created by Traveller women taking part in the programme.

Photography, writing and other creative outputs from across the projects filled the ballroom of Borris House, giving a full picture of the depth of work that has taken place.

Valerie Behan, Creative Ireland Representative said;

“Creative Ireland is absolutely delighted to be able to support the Living Artfully initiative through the Health and Wellbeing strand. We’re thrilled to see the results of the projects across Carlow and Kilkenny. Having seen the work created, and spoken with some of the participants, I’m absolutely delighted to congratulate Aileen [Nolan], Majella [Keating, Creative Communities Engagement Officer Kilkenny County Council] and Caitriona [Roberts, Creative Communities Engagement Officer
Carlow County Council] along with their team for making this such a success. Living Artfully has been a great success and we’re proud to celebrate it today.”

A highlight of the day was the debut of a newly composed piece by Íarla Ó Lionáird, created in direct response to the project. He drew inspiration from the documentary photography of Freddie Greenall and the written reflections of author Alice Bennett, who have been capturing the Living Artfully journey for the past 18 months.

The Living Artfully programme has been supported by Carlow County Council and Kilkenny County Council, and their respective Arts Offices. The programme champions creativity as a fundamental part of community life, promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and cultural participation through the arts.

“What’s most powerful about Living Artfully is how it has built confidence and community” commented Aileen Nolan, Arts Officer, Carlow County Council.

“People who may never have seen themselves as creative are now expressing, sharing, and connecting through art. Living Artfully used a ground up approach to the arts and creativity, it has been community and artist led, and process driven to engage meaningfully and, for the long term.”

Living Artfully has supported a wide range of people, from cancer survivors and people living with early-stage dementia to members of the Traveller community and participants with intellectual disabilities, using art as a way to connect, express, and celebrate their own stories.

“The Living Artfully project reminds us that creativity belongs to everyone – it’s not about talent or training, it’s about connection, courage, and a sense of belonging through creativity.” said Mary Butler, Arts Officer, Kilkenny County Council, “It shows what can happen when people are supported to
make and share art in their own way.”