On Wednesday last, community groups in Kilfinane gathered with Ballyhoura Development CLG to celebrate the beginnings of an Arts Council Creative Places Research and Development Award for the community.

Kilfinane is honoured to be one of two recipients of this award, issued by the Arts Council in 2024, the first in County Limerick.

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.

This will build on the wonderful work of the community organisations and events that already take place including Hearsay International Audio Festival, Kilfinane Community Council, Ballyhoura Comhaltas (CCE), the Old Chapel Rooms, the Kilfinane Traditional Skills and Arts group, the Ballyhoura Bears and Walking Festival and the newly established conversation club to name but a few. 

Padraig Casey, CEO of Ballyhoura Development stated, "We are thrilled to receive this Creative Places Research and Development Award from Arts Council Ireland. Ballyhoura Development is committed to integrating socially engaged and collaborative arts practice across our strategic approach to community development. We are excited about the opportunity this presents to create a dynamic and vibrant sustainable artistic and creative community here in Kilfinane in the Ballyhoura region."

Etain McCooey Limerick City and County Arts Officer “proudly supports the award and Ballyhoura Development CLG in development of a plan for Kilfinane that can create a dynamic and vibrant sustainable artistic and creative community in the Ballyhoura region that both serves and is supported by all in the community” 

Ballyhoura Development thank and acknowledge the community of Kilfinane in embracing the award and look forward to working with the community and the Arts Council in the months to come.

Cllr Tommy O Sullivan, John Sheehy, Cora Fenton, Ciara Flanagan, Diarmuid McIntrye 

Kilfinane Community Group reps and Amanda Slattery, Ballyhoura Development

 Amanda Slattery Ciara Flanagan Ruth McAuliffe Veronica Santorum