Cork County Council has celebrated a significant boost for island communities after the Arts Council confirmed continued funding for the Creative Places: West Cork Islands programme through to October 2027.
The community-centred arts development initiative, which supports the seven inhabited islands of Oileán Chléire, Sherkin, Heir, Long, Whiddy, Bere and Dursey, will receive an additional €170,000 over the next two years. The programme was originally established in 2023 with initial three-year funding from the Arts Council.
The extension recognises the success of partnerships between Cork County Council’s Arts Office and local organisations including Bere Island Projects Group, Sherkin Island Development Society, Comharchumann Chléire Teo., and Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre.
Currently, three storytellers in residence are working across the islands: Nuala Hayes, Paddy O’Brien, and Simone Schuemmelfeder share stories in both Irish and English with island communities. Filmmaker Eoin Heaney is developing a community-based film as part of the Ocean and Environment commission, scheduled for premiere in 2026.
Mayor Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the announcement:
“Creative Places: West Cork Islands is a wonderful example of what sustained, significant investment into a place can do. The West Cork Islands are renowned for their culture and creativity, and the programme has brought that to a new level, supporting artistic ambition and community engagement in creativity.”
The programme forms part of Creative Places, a national Arts Council initiative supporting sustained arts investments across 19 diverse communities throughout Ireland. Each location receives dedicated coordinator support to help local communities explore, plan and deliver creative projects.
Judith Gilbert, Chair of the West Cork Islands Community Council, said:
“We are delighted that this programme will continue until late 2027, giving us time and resources to further embed community-centred creativity and cultural projects, events and activities across and between the West Cork Islands. We are currently in the middle of our third Summer of the programme, and it is incredible to see the quantity and quality of arts projects flourishing at the moment.”
The extended funding will focus on embedding the programme deeper within island communities whilst planning for long-term sustainability. Current and upcoming projects include performances by The Barefoot Baroque music quintet, environmental talks, poetry and film events, and connections to established festivals such as West Cork Chamber Music Festival and West Cork Literary Festival.
Further information about Creative Places: West Cork Islands can be found at creativeplaceswci.ie.