The Arts Council has awarded Creative Places funding to Ballaghaderreen, as part of a €1,097,000 national investment in communities across Ireland for 2025.
Ballaghaderreen is one of three Creative Places to move from research and development to a three-year programme phase in 2025, each receiving €310,000.
Creative Places, established in 2020, invests in people and places around Ireland that have not previously benefited from sustained investment in the arts. To date, €5 million has been invested in 19 communities, reaching more than 125,000 people.
The vision of Creative Places Ballaghaderreen is that the arts and creativity are central to a vibrant, diverse and proud community. The programme promotes wider opportunities to engage in the arts and culture, while also responding to the evolving community profile in Ballaghaderreen and the wider Roscommon area.
Ballaghaderreen has developed a strong foundation of creativity and participation in recent years, from community music and craft initiatives to intercultural arts projects that reflect the town’s diversity. The Creative Places programme will build on this energy—supporting artists and local groups to collaborate, share skills and create work that speaks to the town’s unique character and sense of welcome.
Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport commented:
“Creative Places brings the arts into the heart of communities where sustained opportunities have been limited. The impact is clear—building confidence, wellbeing and local pride, and helping people see their places in new and inspiring ways through creativity.”
Maura McGrath, Chair, The Arts Council said:
“Creative Places expands access to the arts and recognises the creativity already present in communities and the value of supporting it to grow. The Arts Council is proud to continue investing in local collaboration, imagination and inclusion through Creative Places.”
About Creative Places
Creative Places is an Arts Council initiative that invests in communities where there has been little or no sustained arts investment. Launched in 2020, the programme supports long-term collaboration between artists, local authorities and communities to build inclusive and vibrant local arts engagement. To date, €5 million has been invested in 19 communities across Ireland, reaching more than 125,000 people.
About the Arts Council
The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. It works to ensure that the arts are valued and central to Irish life. Through advocacy, investment and partnership, the Arts Council supports artists, arts organisations and communities to engage with and enjoy the arts.
