This page includes the following sections:

• Library Services
• Arts
• Heritage

 

LIBRARY SERVICES

Kilkenny County Library Service aims to provide a quality, accessible service which enhances the lives of communities of Kilkenny, through the provision of a knowledge resource, promoting imagination, lifelong learning and culture.

 

Membership and Library Usage

Kilkenny Library Service has experienced a significant increase in the amount of people who registered to use the library services over the past 2 years.

• There has been a 10.5% increase since 2009 and a 25% increase since 2008.
• 24,000 internet sessions were availed off in 2010 signifying the importance of the public internet service.
• Over 275,504 items were issued in 2010 of which 32,000 which were nonbook items - music resources, audio resources, multimedia resources and language resources.
• Kilkenny Library Service had 161,800 visits to the county branch network in 2010.

 

New Services

• A new mobile vehicle was delivered in 2010 and service delivery was reviewed to ensure that the mobile library service is relevant to community needs across the county. This vehicle was 100% grant funded and worth €153,000.
• Self Issue services - A new self-service system which allows the public to borrow and return items, to monitor their account and renew items is now available in both the City and Loughboy branches. Funding was provided from the Public Libraries Access and Services Support Grant through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.
• Naxos Music Library services - This is an online resource that allows library members to listen to a broad range of music tracks from over 40,000 discs. Kilkenny County Library Service was the first public library service in Ireland to offer this resource to the public. The service can be accessed at the local library or from the comfort of your own home through the library's website.
• Music PAL - the sharing of music information resources between public libraries, college libraries and music institutions. This service is available across the library network.

 

No Side Effects - Read Yourself Well

Kilkenny Library Service has now available to the public high quality self help books covering a range of health issues in an effort to promote the health and well being of individuals and families.

Kilkenny Library Service's "No Side Effects" scheme has developed reading lists which have been distributed to health clinics, family resource centres and GPs in County Kilkenny and the collections will be housed in Graiguenamanagh and Loughboy Libraries but are available to all by request.

It is hoped that these self help books will allow the individual to actively involve and empower themselves in their own recovery.

 

Information Communication technology and online resources

Kilkenny Library Service recognises the important role that the public library plays in supporting and promoting digital participation. Digital library services remain a key service priority. The branches offer a mix of supported access to get people online and in developing digital skills including support from frontline library staff and 3rd party organisations.

The online learning initiative between in partnership with FAS and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna is available now in 4 library branches. Free computer classes are available to those who wish to get online or to up skill. These courses can also be accessed remotely outside the library.

• Mobile phone classes for the over 55's
• Nintendo Wii training classes.
• Basic computer skill classes hosted by Age Action Ireland.
• Digital photography classes.

Online learning services are now more vital than ever and include:-

• Irish Times Archive
• ECDL and Driver Theory Test
• Britannica Online
• Business databases - Lexis Nexis and Vision-Net
• OSI Historic Map viewer
• Griffiths Valuation
• Ask about Ireland
• www.writeon.ie
• E-services are also available by using the website and catalogue at www.kilkennylibrary.ie. Services include online renewals, online reservations and access to online services.

 

Library Collection and Information

The library's collection is its prime asset and the key contributor to sustaining communities by meeting their need to access a wide variety of materials. Kilkenny Library Service is continuously developing and updating its collections to reflect community needs.

Resources in 2010 were invested in children's stock, teenage stock, adult fiction and non-fiction, multimedia stock and audio books and the newspaper service.

The collection of traveller culture materials was extended in 2010 to include children's material and funding was received from the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. A distinctive logo was developed in conjunction with the children in the homework club to identify the stock within the collection.

 

A Space for All

In compliance with the Disability Act 2005 and Kilkenny County Council's Access programme, all 7 service points have now been audited re-accessibility. All buildings and services have undergone review and redesign to improve accessibility for users. Kilkenny Library Service recognises that simple adaptations can make a big difference in ensuring that building and services are accessible to all.

Works undertaken in 2010 include:-

• Replacement of shelving and improved layout in City Library.
• Installation of lighting in City Library.
• A signage strategy has been developed and applied across 6 service points.

 

Literacy and Reading Programmes

The support and development of literacy and reading form the core of what the public library service offers.

Six Book Challenge Adult Literacy Project

This literacy scheme is aimed at less confident readers and Kilkenny Library Service were the first public library service in Ireland to take part in this scheme. A Highly Commended Prize was awarded to Kilkenny Library Service by the National Aontas Star Awards for this project. Over 120 people registered to participate in 2010 from various organisations such as WordAid, TASK,SOS, CDCD and KEY.

Summer Reading Challenge for children
Kilkenny Library Service runs a Summer Reading programme for children every year. The aim is to create/develop a love of reading and to prevent a loss of reading skills over the summer months. Over 300 children read 1500 books across the library network. It has been recognised internationally that public libraries play a significant role in helping to close the achievement gap in school performance.

One Book - One Kilkenny project
This project is a family literacy project between Kilkenny Library Service, the RAPID Co-coordinator and the home school liaison officers from 3 DEIS schools in the City. The idea behind the One Book - One Kilkenny project is to encourage children to read both in school and at home in an effort to encourage parental involvement. We believe that developing literacy skills with children may contribute to improving the literacy ability of parents and all family members. 400 pupils were involved in this project supported by their teachers, siblings and parents.

 

Local studies and Genealogical Service

This service is accessible on-line or by members of the public. This service is a reference and research service dedicated to preserving and enhancing the collective of Kilkenny City and County.
It comprises a number of comprehensive collections including:-

• The Local History Collection
• The Kilkenny Collection
• Local History Files
• Local newspapers
• Photographic Collections
• Genealogical/Historical Sources

In addition the County Collection of Archives can also be accessed through the Local Studies Department. Outreach activities and events to promote the collection and disseminate information were also organised in 2010.

• In-house and external presentations to teachers and adult education and third level students.
• The digitization of Kilkenny local interest titles through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna available under digital books through www.askaboutireland.ie
• Workshops entitled "Tracing your Family Tree" were carried out across the library network as part of National Heritage Week.
• Rediscover Kilkenny Authors - a selection of the works of Kilkenny born authors were made available to coincide with the Carnegie 100th year anniversary and Heritage Week.
• A booklet on the social and historical importance of the Library Service over the last 100 years was developed and published by the Local Studies staff. It was sponsored by the Heritage Council and the American Embassy.

 

Partnership Opportunities

Kilkenny County Library Service remains committed to working with local organisations and agencies to share resources, skills and expertise in an effort to provide a quality service to the public. Many initiatives were undertaken in 2010.

Gardening Together
A 6 week programme developed by Kilkenny County Library Service to bring parents and children together in a fun activity and encourage use of the public library. In partnership with Gardenia garden centre, this project proved very popular with everyone.

Writer Mentoring Scheme in partnership with Kilkenny Arts Office
To support emerging and established writers. In conjunction with this scheme prose and poetry workshops for writers across the library network were available.

In association with Kilkenny Arts Festival, the library service ran a series of craft workshops around the children's book of the festival - Skullduggery Pleasant. The children attended the festival reading by the author in their costumes.

As part of the national Culture Night initiative, Kilkenny Library Service along with Kilkenny County Council, CKLP and KTCM celebrated the Traveller Culture in Loughboy Library with an attendance of over 150 people. Exhibitions of artwork, photographs and crafts as well as entertainment by local singers were organised for this special night of celebration. The Castlecomer Writers and Arts Festival was also launched on Culture Night.

 

Participation in Local and National Events and Festivals

Kilkenny Library Service continued to get involved and organise a range of activities and events around well known festivals and initiatives.

• February - Aontas Adults Learners Festival
• March - Kilkenny Energy Week
• April - Readiscover your library week
• May - Bealtaine
• June - Youthfest
• August - National Heritage Week
• September - Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival
• September - Castlecomer Writers and Arts Festival
• October - National Childrens Bookweek
• November - Science Week

A range of talks, exhibitions and workshops were arranged by the library service to celebrate these events.

 

Carnegie Library 100th Anniversary

Kilkenny Carnegie Library celebrated 100 years providing community access to reading, cultural and learning resources in 2010. To mark this special birthday Kilkenny Library Service hosted a varied programme of events in September and October culminating in a day of celebrations on the 3rd November - the date the library was officially opened 100 years ago.

The Kilkenny Carnegie Library 100 celebrations incorporated a series of Centenary talks including the following speakers: Joseph O'Connor, Peter Sheridan, Anne Enright (Man Booker Prize winner), Thomas Kilroy, Dermot Bolger, Brendan Grimes (the History of Carnegie Libraries), Dr Kevin Whelan (the History of Hurling in Kilkenny before the GAA) and Paul Howard of Ross O'Carroll-Kelly fame.

The action packed programme included KCLR96fm who broadcasted the Sue Nunn show from the Carnegie library on the day of the anniversary.

Also included was Gospel singing, exhibitions, storytelling, competitions and children's activities - visits by Eanna Ni Lamhna, Niall de Burca (storyteller) and Melissa Baker with her storytelling caravan.
A booklet on the social and historical importance of the Library Service over the last 100 years was also published and distributed.

 

Something for Everyone

Kilkenny Library Service continues to provide and facilitate a broad and varied range of other services and facilities across the county branch network illustrated by the below graph.

• Story time for toddlers
• A range of exhibitions throughout the year
• Art and Crafts workshops
• Local historical society meetings
• Knitting groups
• Book club meetings and events
• Creative writing classes and writing circles

 

 

ARTS

Kilkenny City and County has an extensive, illustrious and spirited tradition within the Arts. It is somewhat of a Mecca for artists, makers and those interested in culture and creativity. The Arts continue to be a significant ingredient in Kilkenny largely contributing to the progression of the social, cultural, creative, economic, and political future of Kilkenny.

The Arts Office programme reflects this in its support for the arts across all disciplines and for all aspects of the community both practitioners and audiences, also in its provision of professional development services for practitioners.

 

Exhibitions

The Arts Office continues its commitment to the visual arts and currently organises a busy programme of exhibitions in both the Upstairs Gallery in the Watergate Theatre and at the Arts Office's exhibition space at no. 76. Both these venues offer artists platforms to expose their work not only to the 'gallery visitor' but they also catch the chance interaction of those who would not normally visit a gallery space. Shows range from groups and individual artists both established and early career artists. With a footfall of over 3,700 to the Guerilla Girls and The Three Sisters exhibitions alone, 2010 proved to be a successful year in attracting audiences.

 

The Arts Office hosted 14 exhibitions in these two venues in 2010. Eight individual exhibitions were held at The Upstairs Gallery and included 'Expressions of Nature' by Karina Drogowska; 'E(MOTION)' by Katja Wittmer, 'Landscape Alternatives' by Richard David Warner; 'Magnesso' by Magdalena Nesbitt; 'All Fall Down' by Nuala O'Sullivan; 'The Obsessive Compulsive Drawings' by Sue Morris; 'Coastal Trees' by Emma Barone and 'Small Moments' by Elizabeth Charleson. Three group exhibitions were also held and included 'The Sixth Element' by 13 Ormonde College of Art Students FETAC Level 5; 'Exhibition of Work' by Attracta Manson, Carol O'Connor and Maggie McKeever and 'Valuation' by 13 Residency KCAT Studio Artists.

Selection of Images from Exhibitions in 2010

 

The first exhibition of 2010 at the Arts Office space at No. 76 was an exhibition of Collected Works. This show featured a selection of diverse works including some by our many past Artists in Residence undertaken at no.72 John Street over our four year period there. Works from the following artists were on display; Neil Butler, Glen Kehoe, Blaise Smith, Thomas Barron, Lorna Corrigan, Etaoin Holahan, Patrick O'Connor, David Beattie, Stephane Kiszak, Gypsy Ray, Lesley Frew, Hugh McCarthy, Niamh White, Liselott Olofsson, Aisling Keating and Abi Ighodaro, Marie Connole.

 

The Three Sisters, an exhibition by artist Vanessa Daws took place at No 76 following on from her residency here. Vanessa took the title "The Three Sisters" from the name given to the three local rivers, i.e. the Nore, the Suir and the Barrow as a starting point for the work created during her residency. She started her time here by swimming these three rivers and experimenting with underwater filming. During her residency Vanessa responded to the gallery space at No.76 which essentially became her studio for the eleven weeks. This allowed her to create large site specific pieces and to devise the show for the gallery space from the outset. The building of the large paper maché figures, each with their own individual stories, has taken place in situ. This also enabled her to interact and relate to the work on site as it was being created. It also enabled her to experience the interaction of others to the developing work. Vanessa also hosted numerous workshops during her residency and thus enlightened and inspired many others to the splendour of animation.

Overall, suffice to say that Vanessa has found the whole experience to be quite an amazing one. 'While working here at John's Street I have been able to witness first hand responses from all the passers by looking in the large double windows. I also got the opportunity to talk with the constant stream of visitors who call into the Arts Office, which has all given me confidence that my art work is appreciated, relevant and has a value.'- Vanessa Daws
This exhibition excluded no none and served to broaden our audience base - children found the colourful works and hidden works behind doors and video pieces fascinating considering the artist does not intentionally work to make art for children. Fine art students and new graduates gained experience of invigilating and dealing with the public. Total audience numbers were 1,300.

 

Guerrilla Girls: New Work Revealed. In April 2009 the Guerrilla Girls presented 'gigs' throughout Ireland as part of the research project that informed their newly commissioned work by the Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown. Kilkenny County Council Arts Office collaborated with the Butler Gallery to secure Kilkenny as part of that tour. Consequently the Arts Office hosted the show as our key summer exhibition. The project aimed to create a lens through which power and powerlessness were identified, gender examined and issues about women in contemporary Irish society could be discussed. We also exhibited past Guerrilla Girls works and created an intimate and diverse education and reading area as part of the show. i.e. Guerrilla Girls publications were made available, some 1980's Irish Feminist Fairy Tale books, a feminist graphic novel targeted at teenagers and for the younger viewers a number of Feminist colouring books and street art styled 'Tag' colouring books were produced.

The show was targeted to those interested in equality issues, students, but also to enlighten and highlight to the public at large including the younger viewers of these pertinent issues and concerns. The overall feedback was very interesting and to sum up the comments book it's safe to say that most were intrigued and delighted for such information to have been presented to them. Overall we feel it was a revelation for many. Audience numbers for The Guerrilla Girls exhibition totalled 2,438.

 

Residencies

Two visual artists' residencies were undertaken at no. 76 in 2010 by visual artist Vanessa Daws and ethical textile artist Deirdre Harte. These residencies played a key part in audience development. The residency workshops and exhibitions allowed us to engage with different groups and attract a number of new groups and individuals both young and old.

Vanessa Daws Residency
Visual artist; Vanessa Daws' work combines different mediums of painting, sculpture, drawing and animation. She is inspired by art where the viewer can discover aspects of the work that they can manipulate, manoeuvre or peer into, the anticipation of the unexpected. Her art work explores the possibilities of access to a magical world and allows the viewer to engage and temporarily escape the mundane. Vanessa has also worked in community arts for over ten years from a volunteer to designer for 'Macnas' in Galway and St Patrick's Festival, Dublin. Since 2007 she has been concentrating on her own visual art practice. She has had a number of solo shows in recent years. Her residency here captured the imagination of huge audiences and drew in great audience numbers. Her work is accessible yet complex so it had an extremely broad appeal. Her ability and how we focused on skill sharing also drew in new audiences, notably teenagers and consequently their families.

Vanessa's residency led to her solo exhibition in no. 76, see above. Two public pieces of animation were created over the 11 week residency by members of the public and approximately 100 people took part in the creation of the two drawn and chalk based works.  The residency itself attracted 480 visitors through the doors at No. 76.

 

Stop Motion Animation Workshops
During her residency Vanessa Daws also undertook Stop Motion Animation Workshops with two groups. Both groups worked intensely with her over a period of weeks in order to learn and develop a variety of skills. These included two dimensional cardboard cut outs, shadow animation and drawing and charcoal. This was a unique opportunity for participants to be supported over a period of weeks in developing and honing animation skills.

18 participants took part in the workshops over a 6 week period.

 

 

Deirdre Harte Residency
Deirdre primarily worked with traditional handcrafts of knitting, crochet and hand stitch, combined with tailoring. Using innovative material combined with these traditional ideas form the connective tissue for this work, and in doing so pushed the boundaries between art and fashion, exploring these ideas through finishing, texture, function and silhouette. Yet again our focus was very much around process. For example Deirdre and her interns worked together to dismantle recycled knitted clothing, this wool was then washed and dried to get the kinks out of it and re-knitted and crocheted to create the new pieces of wearable art and sculptural pieces. Making the non precious, precious.

Deirdre's work considers the associated emotions that surround the desire to accumulate. During the residency she sought to expand on her ethos of 'do more with less' and refine the process using zero waste philosophies.

 

Workshops and public/ intern participation
4 interns worked with Deirdre on a weekly basis during her residency.  A knitting group was also organised which initially attracted 75 visitors and led to 40 of these becoming repeat workshop visitors over a 4 week period. This group collaborated with Deirdre knitting lengths out of which Deirdre created a sculptural piece, later to become part of the County Council collection.
An Up-Cycling Workshop was organised involving a total of 23 people including participants, designers, helpers, an emerging photographer and a number of local models.
Organised talks during Deirdre's residency included KCAT and the Ormonde College of Art students. The residency attracted approximately 200 visitors in total.

 

Literature

We were once again delighted to produce the publication of the tenth issue of the very popular Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. The aim of the publication is to give local writers a platform for their work. One hundred and twenty six poems were submitted for inclusion by fifty two writers with eleven poems by ten writers selected. This year's broadsheet was edited by Pat Boran. Pat says of the Broadsheet 'As an admirer of the Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet over many years, I was delighted this year to accept the role of Editor, and heartened by the standard and range of work submitted..........All in all, the poems submitted and published here suggest that poetry is alive and well in Kilkenny and is, rightly, part of the county's conversation with itself and with the country as a whole. Long may it flourish.' The selected poems published came from the following writers: Anne Beck, Nora Brennan, Liam Cleary, Frances Cotter, Jack Cuddihy, Carmel Cummins, Michael Massey, Jill Stewart Nunn, Myra McAuliffe and Judy Rhatigan.

In 2010 we assessed the future of our annual Rhyme Rag poetry publication by young people. The aim of the publication has been to give young local writers aged between 12 and 21 a public platform for their work and the publication has previously taken the form of a fully illustrated comic/graphic novel, illustrated by a professional graphic artist.

In 2010 a number of meetings took place to discuss the development of the hugely successful Rhyme Rag. I felt that the current model does not execute the best use of resources. Nor does it necessarily fully utilise the skills and interests of our target audience, i.e. social networking. Therefore the new model will maintain the element of production of new work and the presentation of this work which will now take place on a website and a blog. The work to be illustrated will still be selected by a professional writer but they will now be employed on an annual basis to provide ongoing feedback and support for the young writers. Similarly the illustrator(s) will engage with the website regularly and provide not just finished works for selected pieces but also sketches and engagement with the young people on an ongoing basis.

On All-Ireland Poetry Day over 60 poets took part in an 8 Hour Poetry Marathon; a Good Way to Kill Time. From 10am onwards, MacDonagh Junction was host to the poetry marathon - and with new poets and lovers of poetry arriving all the time, the result was a constant flow of fresh energy along the kind of enthusiasm which is unique of the opportunist yet casual shopper.

This event was supported by MacDonagh Junction, Stone House Books, Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Poetry Ireland.

 

Mentoring with Grace Wells and Creative Writing Workshops were collaborative projects with the Library service enabling us to maximise on the expertise of both departments. This mentoring programme and the creative writing workshops were borne out of the evaluations we undertook after Graces Well's residency in 2009. Both programmes have again proved to be hugely successful initiatives.

The Mentoring Scheme was aimed at emerging and established writers who would benefit from feedback and professional engagement with their work, enabling selected local writers to engage in one-to-one mentoring sessions with Grace Wells. 16 Kilkenny writers had 5 sessions of 60 - 90mins each from April to November. 'In essence I felt that the mentoring scheme was very positive and of tremendous help to the participants. I would certainly encourage further schemes of this nature' - Grace Wells

The scheme assisted with helping writers gain confidence in their voice and their work, in evolving ideas and plot development, in challenging blocks and helping to tease out new work, in developing editing skills, and with providing guidance about presentation to publishers, agents and journals. Emerging poet Nora Brennan had new work published in The Stony Thursday Book, the Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet and Ireland's Own, all of which she credits to the mentoring scheme, and the previous schemes facilitated over the last two years.

Two series of Creative Writing Workshops took place in 2010 which included a six week poetry workshop series - The Magic of Words with tutor Frances Cotter and also a six week prose workshops series - Creative Prose with tutor Ken Bourke. 12 participants took part in each of these workshop series.

Overall these activities have raised skills and knowledge of participants and instilled new energies and solidarity amongst our writing community. They have assisted in the continuation of the independent group meetings for networking and public poetry readings amongst peers. They have contributed to further building the capacity of our artists both as writers, performers and for some their tutoring skills.

 

Music

The development of partnerships with other bodies is fundamental in bringing the arts to new audiences and into local communities. The following are partnership projects aimed at continuing to enhance and diversify the range of musical events made available to audiences within the city and county. Partnerships with Duiske concerts series, Kilkenny Music club, the 'Wired' music strand of Kilkenny Arts Festival and young promoters within Kilkenny have been further developed utilising and acknowledging local and national expertise. This will encourage diversity and wide ranging events appealing to a broad audience throughout the City and County.

The Future of Music Distribution and Promotion
Kilkenny County Council Arts office in partnership with Kilkenny Arts Festival hosted a free public seminar discussing the future of music promotion and distribution. The unprecedented pace of change in the music industry in recent years has created a host of new challenges and opportunities for musicians, audiences and industry professionals. Through an open discussion with key industry insiders, including musicians Pierce Turner and Robert Hacker Jessett (Morton Valence), Edison Waters (Vibe Music Management), Susan Gill (Music Research) and Laurence Macken (Irish Times), the session aimed to challenge conventional thinking about the business of music and explore new ways of creating, promoting, and distributing it. The audience for this event totalled 30.

Supporting Emerging Irish Bands
The Arts Office worked in partnership with the Kilkenny Arts Festival to support the finest in Irish bands as part of the 'Wired' music strand of the festival. On Thursday 12th August at the Set Theatre, Langton's, an event within the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2010 programme took place for which; HALVES with Geppetto, Ryan Taylor Doyle, and Teffia Ki preformed to a full capacity venue of 350 people.

Music in Kilkenny organise a year round programme of concerts with national and international musicians while the 2010 Duiske Concert Series offered a weekend programme in November. The Arts Office supports these programmes of cutting edge contemporary/improvised music alongside well-loved masterpieces.

 

Grants, Awards & Bursaries

Various groups and projects secured funding through the Arts Office in 2010. These include the Drama League of Ireland Bursary, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary and the Dingle Writing Courses Bursary 2010. The Arts Office invited artists working across all art forms to apply for our Arts Office 2010 Bursary.  Applications were accepted from individual creative practitioners working in any art form to enable them to pursue their practice, to develop within their chosen discipline, including research and development, professional development, formal education, collaborative projects and activities, multidisciplinary projects and equipment. Individuals seeking assistance must be involved in arts activities which, in the opinion of the Arts Office, develop knowledge of the arts and arts practice, their own practice and that of others. They must seek to promote the arts and arts practice to the public and develop an appreciation of the arts and their own practice and that of others. Undertakings should also assist in improving the standards of the arts and arts practice. The Arts Office encouraged individuals seeking assistance to involve others in their project, to assist and develop collaborative practice and engage with others in the execution of their activity or project. From thirty applications received eleven individuals were successful in receiving funds amounting to €10,790. These include 2 theatre projects, 6 visual projects, 2 film projects and 1 circus skills project.

In partnership with the Association of Irish Choirs we offered the Irish Youth Choir Summer Programme Bursary 2010 to one practitioner living in Kilkenny, inviting them to attend the 2010 residential programme at the University of Limerick from 26th June. Therese Murphy was the successful recipient of this. Whilst receiving professional musical training and performance opportunities, the Therese also learned valuable lessons in teamwork, respect and leadership. The Association of Irish Choirs says of the bursary - 'An Arts Office bursary goes a long way towards encouraging people from all over the county to participate in the choir.'

School Subsidies 2010 from the Arts Office assisted county primary schools with the associated costs of attending high quality arts events in the city. Three schools availed of assistance to attend one of Barnstorm Theatre Company's annual productions

 

Education / Community / Inclusion

Culture Night
On the 24th September a number of cultural organisations in Kilkenny City and County opened their doors presenting a plethora of free events and activities to suit all age groups and interests. All of the participating venues opened late into the evening to entertain and amuse our audiences. We were all participating in part of the country's largest ever Culture Night! And in return large numbers of people came out to enjoy exhibitions, theatre, demonstrations, story time, and song and dance.

 

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office presented Susie Lamb, Geraldine Plunkett and Dorothy Cotter reading a series of Feminist Fairy tales, a thoroughly enjoyable story time for adults.  Approximately 60 people were captivated and transported to another land! Feeling the joy and sometimes the sadness; were enthused and inspired by the triumph and tragedy of the characters in this series of radical fairy tales.

Geraldine Plunkett reading Feminist Fairy Tales

 

Other events on the night commissioned and supported by the Arts Office were:

• Kilkenny Writers Club in association with Barnstorm Theatre presented an evening of Open-mic Poetry with Special Guest Performance Poet & Political Activist Dave Lordan.

 

• Loughboy Library hosted a very popular evening of events to celebrate Traveller Culture including a performance by singers Celine O'Leary and Aidan MacDonagh, members of the Travelling Community, the launch of Kilkenny library service's "Traveller Culture Collection", a collection of materials aimed at promoting understanding of the community and improving knowledge and appreciation of Traveller culture, a photographic exhibition by photographer Gypsy Ray, Tutor Ann Jones and the women's group of St. Catherines and a storytelling session by Ann MacDonagh and an exhibition of adult and children's craftwork.

 

• Thomastown based theatre group 'What's on Tom' entertained an audience of 200 in the Watergate Theatre with 'KULT', a series of short productions by local and national playwrights, including 'The Land' by Pauric Brennan (Carlow), 'Ashes to Ashes' by Tony Deegan (Dublin), 'No Room for Sweet' by Gillian Grattan (Kilkenny), 'A Closet Flung Wide Open' by Shawn Sturnick (Kilkenny), 'Same Old Scene' by Hugh Cardiff (Dublin), 'Denouement' by John Morton (Kilkenny), and 'Robbin and Lovin!' By Samantha Heaney.

 

• The 5 to 6 Women's Project opened its doors once more to the public and presented 'Home' their most recent collection of works.

 

• The National Craft Gallery celebrated the Autumn Equinox with a wondrous paper lantern installation, hosted exhibition tours and invited people to engage with 'My Objects of Attachment'. They also hosted the music of Dublin based Singer Songwriter Jennifer Evans and gave people an opportunity to engage in Jewellery making at the School of Jewellery. A wide range of people aged between 6 and 75 took part in this very popular activity. Many had never done anything like this before and totally enjoyed what became a very social event. Parents and children worked together to make their own culture vultures. 350 members of the public engaged with the CCoI programmes on the night. 60% of people who attended Culture Night were completely new audiences to the National Craft Gallery.

 

• And last but not least forty people enjoyed a leisurely walk through Kilkenny city, visiting City Hall in the Tholsel, Rothe House and St. Canice's Cathedral along the way.  Guided by Pat Tynan of Tynan Tours, introducing audiences to the heritage of the city.

 

Overall the evening was a massive success and we firmly believe it introduced a number of new audiences to the vitality and the broad and varied venues and cultural offerings Kilkenny has on its doorstep. Our evaluations and feedback received has also served to prove the fundamental importance of the Arts to the welfare of our society. All events were welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed, many were new to participants and many audiences were returning to venues previously visited and enjoyed in the past. Suffice to say all organisers and audiences went home very pleased and in high spirits!

 

MOOT

In 2010 Kilkenny County Council's Arts Office in collaboration with Butler Gallery continued to plan for a new and engaging MOOT debate to take place in early 2011. MOOT is a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters.

Moot VII 'Inno-Vision' is the seventh in the series and this time will debate art, education and creativity. It will dispel creativity 'myths', explore ways to engender critical thinking, while considering technology (whether it is a tool or a diversion) and exploring spaces for creativity.

A panel discussion and break out sessions about Art, Education, Creativity and Innovation, 'Inno-Vision' will explore the location of creativity in today's society, and discuss ways the arts, education and business can work together to achieve a more creative, innovative and inspired society for future generations. Moot is planned to take place on Friday 4th February 2011. Panellists include Finbarr Bradley IRL (Former Professor, DCU, NUI Maynooth & UCD Co-author, 'Capitalising on Culture, Competing on Difference') Dr. Anna Craft UK (Prof. of Education, University of Exeter and author of 'Creativity and Education Futures?') Neil Leyden IRL (Director of Calico Media, Chair of Digital Media Forum, and winner of 'Your Country, Your Call') Paul Young IRL (CEO and Co-Founder of Cartoon Saloon).

 

The Creative Training Programme

The Creative Training Programmme for Kilkenny Childcare Services is an ongoing partnership project with Playtrain UK, an organisation that shares similar values as the Arts Office, the Butler Gallery and Kilkenny County Childcare Committee, in promoting and encouraging ingenuity and creativity. The aim of these workshops was to provide training in key areas in keeping with the aims of Kilkenny County Council Arts Strategy and the County Play Policy. This programme also fulfilled many of Síolta's criterions particularly in relation to numerous standards stated in their 'National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education'. Yoga and Movement with facilitator Adele Dean took place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October 2010, this course demonstrated how practitioners can develop exciting and stimulating ideas for movement using yoga. The session provided practical ways in which movement can be explored through a variety of resources including music, props and books. At the same time the course promotes the benefits of flexibility and healthy exercise for young children. Activities include: Techniques, exercises, postures and games that are ideal for use in regular classrooms and playgrounds. How yoga teaches relaxation as an essential life skill; How yoga and movement teaches children about their bodies to enhance self confidence, calm mind and uplift spirit; and Explore traditional yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques through a creative story based approach. In total 11 participants from 9 city and county childcare facilities attended the workshops. 'It was great meeting others willing to incorporate out of the box ideas into childcare, it shows a great future for the profession.' - Workshop Participant

 

Building Cultural Communities

The Arts Office in collaboration with the Community and Enterprise Department of Kilkenny County Council and County Kilkenny VEC Community Education Service collaborated on bringing 'Building Cultural Communities' to Kilkenny in 2011. This part - time course, facilitated by social entrepreneur Conor O' Leary of Artlands is aimed at training and up skilling individuals who have a keen interest in becoming more experienced in arts and cultural event production.

'Building Cultural Communities' is designed specifically to support practicing artists across all art forms, voluntary groups and communities to develop the skills to organize and promote arts and cultural events in their communities, whilst encouraging collaboration and teamwork. This course will combine classroom learning and theory with a strong practical element. Participants will organise their own event within the time frame of the course and receive expert tutor support and advice from Conor O' Leary. On successful completion of the course each participant will receive FETAC accreditation in Event Production at level 5.

Kilkenny Arts Office has brought this new developmental project to the county with a number of objectives in mind. Not only will it encourage individuals and groups to organise and manage quality projects and events but also provide artists with the skill sets and the networks to manage their own practices and projects.

 

National Drawing Day 2010

National Drawing Day is a collaborative project involving  Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, Butler Gallery, Arts Council of Ireland, OPW, and supported by Langton House Hotel and Dunnes Stores once again took place in the Butler Gallery and the grounds of Kilkenny Castle.

National Drawing Day 2010 revisited some of the wonderful workshops that took place over the past few years - Tree Wrapping, Wood Block Pastels and viewing the castle from a new and improved Camera Obscura.  Another activity that responded to the location of Castle Park was an Optical Drawing Device set up in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle.  On the rise was Flock, large-scale collective drawings using colour, accompanied by Willow Wall, sculptural drawings with natural materials.

There were 500 participants in total and the event employed 10 artists and engaged 10 volunteers. This year we were delighted to welcome two artists from Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon to our talented team of workshop directors. They ran animation and character development workshops in the Parade Tower. Other participating artists included Steven Aylin, Siobhan Clancy, Jean Conroy, Fabian Erlinghauser, Edel Gelston, Etaoin Holahan, Lucia Parle, Jacqui Purcell and Jean-Baptiste Vendamme.

 

5 To 6 Project

 

This project provides space for women to participate in life-long learning and increase skills, knowledge and understanding of the arts. It embraces alternative, innovative ways for women to interact and express themselves through art, creativity and collaboration. Participants are (re)introduced to different methods of creating art under given themes over a 10-20 week period. A full-time lead artist and personal development worker are involved at all times. Specialised workshops with visiting artists, field trips to other organisations and the opportunity to exhibit work are undertaken and explored. After the initial course, women continue their involvement in the programme through independently organised weekly meetings and in recent years including the inducting of new women to the project.

The 5 to 6 Project (5 representing change and 6 the outcome of change) reflects the motivations of its Steering Group (Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre, the Centre for Independent Living, Newpark Family Resource Centre, Butler Gallery and Kilkenny County Council, Arts Office and Community and Enterprise Depts). The Project currently works with 4 groups of 8 women. It has worked with over 100 women since its inception and has a waiting list of approximately 50. It has enabled participants to develop confidence and self-esteem through art-making in a safe environment, integrating a diverse network of women from different backgrounds. The renewed confidence of participants has given women the confidence to set up their own art groups, progress to third level education and take on roles in the activities and direction of the project (as instigators, coordinators, workshop leaders and members of the Steering Group).

The Project influences and affects the diverse communities of women in the city and county and has the potential to be used as a model in other counties, working with arts organisations in different regions. "I think this project has impacted far beyond the individual women in it and is of benefit to the wider community - families, neighbours, friends, workplaces - in ever increasing ripples. I feel fortunate to be part of it, and hope in future I will be able to give something back to groups of women who participate" - Mary Ellen Brennan, Stoneyford.

 

ARTLINKS

ArtLinks is an artists' resource service, based on a five county partnership between Local Authorities in the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford. Initiated in 2005, in response to the Arts Council's Local Partnership Scheme.

ArtLinks deliveries 4 core services across the region: a comprehensive website, professional development courses; artists bursary awards; and a mentoring programme. The website; www.artlinks.ie functions as an artists/arts directory for the five county regions and also as an artists professional development/archive resource.

ArtLinks enables artists in the delivery, development, production and presentation of work. Membership increased by just over 18% in 2010, and now has 1,514 members across the 5 county regions.

2010 has seen a shift in the way in which the Artlinks programme can be delivered within a local authority context with the reduction in staffing services. The partners have continued to provide an efficient and meaningful service launching a new initiative under the partnership. During 2010, priority was given to the development of a mentorship project in each of the counties within the region. The initiative has been designed to put in place a framework of support for the nurturing of artist led initiatives in specific artforms. These have been designed to support the following areas for practitioners Carlow - Playwrighting, Kilkenny - Literature, Wexford - Youth Theatre Practitioners, Waterford - Literature, Wicklow - Visual Arts. The project is being led by a co-ordinator; Ann Nolan, appointed through a recent open tender process, and will in turn be enhanced by the recruitment of artform specialists in each of the artform disciplines (Literature/Youth Theatre/Visual Arts) who will directly engage with artists over a sustained period of time into 2011.

 

 

HERITAGE

The following work was completed by the Heritage Officer in 2010:

Conference: "Monuments, Memories & Maps"

A 2 day conference entitled "Monuments, Memories & Maps: The Archaeological Landscapes of County Kilkenny" was organised by the Heritage Officer on 9th and 10th October. Over 90 delegates attended and the feedback was very positive. Following the success of the conference it is proposed to produce a user friendly, non-academic publication of the proceedings in 2011.

 

Townlands 2

The Heritage Officer funded and guided a successful fieldname recording project in the parish of Johnswell. Over 400 fieldnames were recorded, 4 oral histories recorded; a website www.townlands.com established; a community seminar held and other creative outputs such as a school drama and a video. Following the success of the project County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership will be funding the development of a methodology for fieldname recording in 2011 to be used by other communities in the county.

 

Habitat Mapping of Kilkenny City & Environs

The Heritage Officer funded and project managed a habitat survey and mapping project of the city and environs. The habitats and green infrastructure of the study area were identified and mapped. A report has been produced and all of the data is stored on the County Council GIS system and will be available to the general public. It is intended that the findings will inform strategic planning, biodiversity management and be a valuable source of information for tidy towns groups.

 

Heritage Week 2010

The Heritage Officer coordinated and publicised all heritage week events in the county. Over 54 events took place in Kilkenny during heritage week - the highest number yet. The work of the Heritage Officer involved production of newspaper and radio adverts, and production of 2000 copies of a colour brochure listing all events, and distribution of this brochure around the county.  

 

Kilkenny Heritage Forum

The Heritage Officer co-ordinates the Kilkenny Heritage Forum. The Forum oversees the implementation of projects from the Kilkenny Heritage Plan.

 

Habitat Mapping of 9 settlements as part of Local Area Plans

The Heritage Officer worked with Forward Planning, to project manage the habitat mapping and identification of green infrastructure for 9 settlements in the county, as part of the Local Area Plan process. The settlements were: Piltown, Mooncoin, Fiddown, Urlingford, Johnstown, Ballyragget, Ballyhale, Knocktopher and Gowran. All of the data, including GIS datasets, will be available to the public on the County Council website.

 

International Year of Biodiversity Awareness Programme

The Heritage Officer organised and co-ordinated a series of biodiversity events throughout the year. The events celebrated International Year of Biodiversity, and were funded by the DoEHLG. These included guided walks, childrens workshops, demonstrations etc. The attendances were excellent and feedback was very positive.

 

Planning/ Development Control

The Heritage Officer made submissions on planning referrals.

 

Heritage advice

The Heritage Officer answers a significant number of heritage queries from the general public, elected representatives, LEADER and local authority staff.

Committees

The Heritage Officer represents Kilkenny County at meetings of Rothe House Trust.
The Heritage Officer sits on and provides heritage support to the Kilkenny City Walls Steering Committee, co-ordinated by Kilkenny Borough Council.  
The Heritage Officer reports to SPC5 on heritage projects, as required.