This page includes the following sections:

• Library Services
• Arts
• Heritage

LIBRARY SERVICES

Mission Statement

The mission statement of Kilkenny Library Service recognises the massive potential of public libraries by aiming to provide a quality accessible service which enhances the lives of the communities of Kilkenny, through the provision of a knowledge resource, promoting imagination, lifelong learning and culture.

Usage

In line with national trends Kilkenny Library Service saw a 15.5% increase in membership figures in 2009 with a 2.5 % increase in items issued.
The delivery of services operates through a mixture of static libraries, mobile libraries and the website.
The strong ICT focus has meant that almost 20,000 internet sessions were availed of in 2009.

Children's Services

Children's services are recognized as an integral part of Kilkenny County Library's remit. Nearly half of library members are categorized as children and consequently resources are invested in this area to ensure future use by this generation of library services.

The annual Summer Challenge entitled Blast Off with Books saw over 400 children registering and over 3000 books read. The culmination of the challenge was the awarding of certificates to all who completed the challenge. This took place in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on 10th September. Music was provided by Size2Shoes who performed their show called Size2Shoes Love Books. Over 300 people attended this event and it was a night of great fun and enjoyment.

Kilkenny Library Service also participated in events to celebrate National Children's Book Festival with visits to the branch network by children's authors John W. Sexton, Jane Mitchell, Conor Kostick, Dolores Keaveney, Michael Carroll, Roisin Meaney, Michael Smith and Malachy Doyle.

Stock Collection Development

Kilkenny Library Service is continuously developing and updating its collections to reflect community needs. Specialised collections have been developed in partnership with agencies to ensure the needs of minority groups are also catered for. A Traveller Culture Collection is a new collection of books, CDs and DVDs which is housed in the City Library.

While a collection of stock suitable for the deaf community has also been developed and is housed in Loughboy Library.

Information Communication Technology and Online Resources

The library service views ICT as a very important part of future service delivery.

ICT is acknowledged as having a key role to play in learning through access to computer aided learning and as a way of finding information resources to support people's studies be these informal, formal, ICT based or conventional.

The Library website and catalogue are available to everyone at www.kilkennylibrary.ie. Through www.borrowbooks.ie access is provided to the stock of other public libraries in Ireland, this interlending service is free to all registered library members. Online services available include access to :-

• Irish Times Archive
• Vision-Net - Irish and U.K Business/Company database
• Lexis Nexis - news, business, health, and environmental information
• Griffith's valuation
• ECDL and Driver theory test
• Britannica Online

We recognise our role in bridging the digital divide regarding those who use technology and those who do not and to this end we provided a variety of classes such as computers for the terrified, digital photography and mobile phone classes and web taster classes.

Libraries offer an accessible informal environment and are ideally placed to support people who wish to learn new skills.

Library Development Plan

The production and adoption of the 5 year Library Development Plan represents a very positive development in the delivery of services across the branch network. This plan is available for download from the website and available in Irish and Audio format at www.kilkennylibrary.ie.

This strategy aims to provide an appropriate policy framework to support and further develop The Councils of the City and County of Kilkenny Library Service so that issues such as access and participation, infrastructure and service provision are addressed.

A brochure was also developed and distributed in 2009.

A Space For All

Kilkenny County Library Service continues to address areas of service provision, removing barriers to service uptake and creating welcoming and accessible environments supported by appropriate services and formats. Supported by the Disability Strategy Funding much has been achieved across the Library network to ensure that our services and buildings are accessible to all.
These include:-

• Installation of ramps
• Installation of accessible shelving
• Improved lighting
• Installation of standardised signage across the branch network
• Investment in information resources such as audio stock, touch screen monitors, large print material etc.

Partnership

The Library Service is committed to the development of working partnerships with local representative organizations or other state agencies. To this end many initiatives were undertaken to encourage access to services.

• The Six Book Challenge is an initiative aimed at involving reluctant readers with their public library. Kilkenny Library Service was the first library authority in Ireland to participate with this project which ran from January to June 2009. A presentation evening was held in Loughboy Library with Peter Sheridan and Mick Hanley where 68 participants were awarded certificates of achievement.

• Writer In Residence Programme - In partnership with the Arts Office, a 6 month residency programme was hosted across the library network. The purpose of the residency was to support the development of writers in Kilkenny and develop and generate new audiences.

• Ready to Read Project - a joint initiative with the Rapid Coordinator this project was based in the Newpark Learning Resource Centre. The purpose of the project was to promote a love of reading and encourage children visit their local library. Over 25 children participated in this project which ran over an 8 week period.

• E-Learning project - this is a joint life long learning initiative between FAS, The Library Council and Kilkenny Library Service, Opportunities are provided for people to retrain, re skill at their own pace free of charge. Loughboy, Castlecomer and Graiguenamanagh libraries provided access to this course.

"Surviving the Recession"@ your Library

Kilkenny County Library Service hosted a series of Information/Advice Sessions at Loughboy and Graiguenamanagh libraries during November/December 2009. This included talks by FAS, MABS, Co. Kilkenny VEC Adult Guidance Service, HSE Kilkenny - Health Promotion Department, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership and a Life Coach.

Local Studies

• The Local Studies Department continued to develop and broaden its various collections throughout 2009 providing us with a fuller picture of the history and development of Kilkenny.
• The Local Studies and Genealogical Service brochure was developed and distributed. It provides clear and concise details of our services, and easy accessibility into historical research and family history in Kilkenny.
• The Library continued its outreach services during the year with familiarisation talks for second-level students, mature students, teachers, retirement groups and historical societies.
• Heritage Week events included the Exhibition of the Cotgreave Library Indicator. This historical stock management system was in use in Kilkenny in the early part of the 21st century and is one of very few which survive today, it shows the progression and development of the library service in Kilkenny.
• A number of local books of Kilkenny Interest were digitized by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in conjunction with the Library Service, under the Digital Books initiative. The titles include such works as The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory by William Carrigan. They can be viewed at www.askaboutireland.ie.

Cultural and Development Programmes

Kilkenny County Library Service consistently promotes and participates in both national and local activities. To this end a range of services/events are developed to respond to the broad spectrum of public needs.

2009 Highlights

• Participation in Adult Learners Week - talks/workshops and classes.
• Participation in Library Ireland Week - Exhibitions/author visits/workshops.
• Castlecomer 10th Birthday celebrations - Visit by Pauline McGlynn, children's events, exhibition, performances and music.
• Participation in Bealtaine - Workshops/exhibitions/classes
• Participation in Kilkenny Youth Fest
• Participation in Heritage Week
• Participation in Castlecomer Writers' Festival
• Participation in All Ireland Poetry Day and launch of Poets on Board Project
• Library Reading Groups
• Dramatisation of a Christmas Carol

The graph below demonstrates the range of events/services that Kilkenny County Council Library Network provides across the county.

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 the Upstairs Gallery, Watergate Theatre, no. 72, John Street and our new premises no. 76, John Street. 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.

The Arts Office hosted 11 exhibitions across three venues in 2009. Exhibitions include group shows and individual artists both established and those early in their careers. Artists included - Maeve Brennan, Derek Fitzpatrick, Nuala O'Sullivan, Ian Wieczorek, Anthony Pilbro, Angela Darby, Robert Peters, thirteen women from the women's art based project 5 to 6 curated by Caroline Cowley, Public Arts Officer of Fingal County Council, and our end of year exhibition was by T.A.S.K. (Training & Support Kilkenny), a full time rehabilitative training programme for adults.

Opening of '5 to 6' exhibition, Watergate Theatre, Upstairs Gallery, Kilkenny

The Endangered Studios Artists were the first to exhibit in the then new Arts Office space no. 72 in 2004. In 2009 they were also the last as the Arts Office moved to its new premises at no. 76. This artist-led initiative is a Callan based studio with 11 local artists working in a wide range of disciplines. Having exhibited in Fennelly's, Callan and no. 72 during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, the exhibition of work by artists Gary Tynan, Jennifer Hughes, Conor Cleary, Caroline Schofield, Tracy Sweeney, Richard Coghlan, Helen Comerford, Bridget O'Gorman, and Etaoin Holahan at no. 72 provided the more traditional white cube gallery space for the exhibition of works in contrast to Fennelly's unused building.

Finally, the inaugural exhibition at no. 76 in August was the 'Museum of Broken Relationships', a museum dedicated to broken hearts, founded in Croatia. Authors of the concept Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic decided to set up the museum after consoling friends over their failed romances. The Museum is an exhibition which intends to create a space of 'secure memory' or 'protected remembrance' in order to preserve the material and nonmaterial heritage of broken relationships. Individuals get rid of those triggers of momentarily 'undesirable' emotions, by turning them into museum exhibits and thereby participate in the creation of a preserved collective emotional history. In this process these objects finally emerge from their dark and hidden spaces and are placed within a new framework which automatically changes the perception of the object and establishes a new context for the emotions generated by them. This museum possesses everything from romantic and touching letters, teddy bears and wedding dresses to a leg prosthesis donated by a war veteran who fell in love with his physiotherapist. Every single object on display is anonymous, and has a description and / or story related to the relationship that was behind it.

After the success of its first display in Zagreb this unique museum has travelled to cities worldwide including Berlin, London, Croatia, Macedonia, Stockholm and San Francisco. The public was invited to become part of the exhibition by contributing their own mementos. Arts Officer, Mary Butler was very excited to be bringing this unique show to Ireland for the first time. She was eager for people to respond to this exclusive opportunity and to donate items to the museum. This in turn has further enrich the show and it also offers people the opportunity to anonymously tell their stories of lost love and heartbreak to the Irish audience and beyond as the exhibition continues to tour the world.

Residencies

Two visual artists' residencies focusing on drawing, painting and installation with artists Gypsy Ray and Niamh White were undertaken at no. 72 in 2009. Renovation of the space late 2008 allowed the Arts Office to expand upon its residency programme to include its second dance residency with Abi Ighodoro in 2009. 

'Swimmer' by Gypsy Ray

Kilkenny based artist Gypsy Ray, with 32 years of experience behind her works primarily around photography and drawing. Gypsy recognises that this residency was a wonderful opportunity for her to work away from home and to work in a space which is ideal for creating more than one work at a time. The size of the space also enabled her to assess her images as they progress. She started out working on an ongoing series of large scale drawings about swimming, but was open to the unforeseen possibilities that residency opportunities offer. She was also more than aware of how the space within which one works can alter your practice be that by a change in your thought process, your subject matter, the size of work etc. the possibilities are endless. The artist also engaged with the public by inviting those who visited to do a blind contour drawing with her. Therefore she saw the engagement with the public as having the potential to be very rewarding, enjoyable and gratifying for all.

'Bread Making' by Niamh White

Offaly based artist Niamh White's work was concerned with relationships, the workings of and structure of social expectations within relationships, domestic patterns, rules that apply to people and how the rules change from person to person. Ideas of nurturing, dependence and maintenance of relationships are recurring themes, as well as a strong connection to physical environment and living history. Accessibility is a key consideration of her work and she often involves others in her work. During her time in Kilkenny she focused on the mechanics of relationships, the workings that are unseen but those that form the basis for survival, whether indeed the relationship is between two people or a chemical relationship such as respiration and photosynthesis.

London based artist Abi Ighodaro's artistic goal is to make works that explore a personal and relevant idea of Africa. She moved to Ireland from Nigeria with her family at the age of nine. Being away from 'home' and isolated from the culture there fostered a strong curiosity in it. This led her to studying the context and representation of African Art as part of her Fine Art degree. Her main interests lay in Traditional Textile and West African Masquerade traditions. From this formal anthropological course of study she began exploring a more personal and insider view point of Africa. In 2001 / 2002 she won grants to travel to various countries in West Africa to research traditional dance and festivals. These journeys are a major influence on her current work - a series of experimental documentaries. Introduced to the ideas on drawing and dance in performance was the starting points of her exploration during her time resident in Kilkenny.

The artists' studio space was the large ground floor area at no. 72, John Street, Kilkenny. Situated underneath the Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, a public space; the artists agreed to also engage with the public. The aim and focus of the Artists Residencies at no. 72 is to enable the successful applicants to research and develop their own practice but also to give insights into how and why artists create their work and to build relationships. This has been a very successful aspect of the residencies as they tend to create an ongoing dialogue between the artists, the members of the public who visit them and their continual updates on the residency blog enabling people to keep up to date with developments as the weeks go by even if they are not in a position to visit in person on a regular basis. They further promote the Arts providing an awareness and further appreciation of the Arts and cultivating and developing new audiences. These residencies also enable the Arts Office to support Arts Practitioners by 'assisting artists in realising their artistic ambitions' (Arts Council of Ireland).

Literature

Notable literature events have once again taken place through the Arts Office in 2009. The Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet involving professional editors in selecting poems from writers within the city and county is as popular a publication as ever. 2009 saw issue nine appear on the shelves. The poetry Broadsheet provides the opportunity for writers to engage in an open selection process in order to get their work published. This publication is extremely popular, gratifying and encouraging for many local writers and readers alike. One hundred and eight poems were submitted for inclusion by forty one writers with sixteen poems by thirteen writers selected from poets including Michael Massey, Anne O'Connor, Geraldine Coleman, Willie - Joe Meally, Jim Moore, Jill Stewart Nunn, Susie Lamb, Monica Fleming, Carmel Cummins, Myra McAuliffe, Frances Cotter, Jack Cuddihy and Kevin Dowling.

The fifth edition of Rhyme Rag, a poetry publication specifically for young people aged between 12 and 21 years, was published in November 2009. Twenty seven poems were selected in this year's publication. The approach and scale of this year's edition was very different to previous years, thus adding yet another dimension to the production and presentation of such work. Arts Officer Mary Butler 'feels it is important not to become complacent and to continue to challenge and excite both ourselves and the young writers by what we produce.' The illustration of the publication was undertaken by artist Ale Mercado with the editor being Adam Wyeth. Adam comments on Rhyme Rag "It's clear from the submissions I received for this year's Rhyme Rag that these poets have been given the opportunity, at school and at home, to discover and appreciate many poems... They are already on their way to becoming the great fluent speakers of tomorrow's poetry. With projects like this, set up by the Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, our young poets have been given a platform to make their own mark on Ireland's literary landscape."

All-Ireland Poetry Day took place on 1st October 2009. With the generous assistance of the Arts Council of Ireland, Poetry Ireland supported a reading in every county in Ireland for a second year in a row. Kilkenny County Arts Office presents a lunchtime reading with Meath poet Peter Fallon in Kilkenny City Library followed by an evening reading with Kilkenny poets Willie-Joe Meally, Anne O'Connor, Susie Lamb and Peter Fallon. In addition to both of these great events our head-lining poet, Peter Fallon of Irelands Gallery Press, hosted a Q+A session giving the public a unique opportunity to get answers to all those burning questions regarding publishing in Ireland and beyond.

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office in conjunction with the Library Services was delighted to announce the expansion of its rich literature programme with the commencement of a Writer-in-Residence with Grace Wells, award-winning poet and author, in 2009. Over a number of months Grace worked with Kilkenny writers, facilitated creative writing workshops, and offered mentoring advice. Writing workshops aimed at bringing writers, whatever their standard, to the next level took place in different libraries around the county. Grace also ran 'One-to-One Writers' Clinics', where she offered mentoring advice, and helped writers with any problems they currently faced. This residency was in direct response to the needs of Kilkenny writers identified in the 2008 Writers' Survey undertaken by the Arts Office.

No charge was made for any courses or activities with a total of 85 participants taking part in one-to-one clinics and in workshops entitled 'Creative Writing: Taking it to the Next Level', 'Nurturing a Collection' and 'Creative Writing: Taking it Seriously'. The residency has had a vast number extremely positive outcomes including, new energies and solidarity amongst our writing community and the independent setting up of regular public poetry readings amongst peers.

Following this successful residency the Arts Office in partnership with ArtLinks offered a number of writing courses to Kilkenny practitioners including 'Engaging Prose', an eight week evening course for committed writers who want to take their prose up another level and 'Perfecting Poetry- Knowing How to Start and Where to Stop', again an eight week evening course for anyone who wanted to take poetry seriously where participants created new work, learned editing skills, read and discussed some seminal and inspiring poets, and learned how to navigate the world of modern poetry publishing.

Music

The Arts Office supported a number of concerts over the year around the county. These include classical and traditional concerts at the 13th century Duiske Abbey, the 2009 Duiske concerts series and support was also provided to Music in Kilkenny staging events in Castalia Hall in Ballytobin, Callan and St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny.

no. 76 John Street, also hosted 'Orchranoplan 1' by Jonny Pumfrey. All you had to do was come in, take a seat, close your eyes, and let your ears dance around the room. The Orchranoplan is a project aimed at exploring our sense of aural space and seeing if it has any place in music. We all have a very developed sense of aural space, it is a sense we rely on every minute of the day. It's how we know how far away a car is, how fast it is moving, or even which direction it is travelling. We can tell whether a room is big or small, whether it is made of hard or soft material.

The music consists of five studies for a thirty two part choir in the round. They are experiments rather than finished musical works and make up the first steps towards developing a language for a choral music in the round. The listener sits within a circle of eight speakers. Each speaker has a bass, tenor, alto and soprano voice allocated to it. The voices are not recorded as individual 'part' or 'lines' but are made up of hundreds of samples triggered by computer. This allows the composition of the piece to be like a pointillist painting, adding notes and sounds here both in time and space.

Training For Real at Woodstock

Following some initial public art training in Kilkenny and discussions with the Arts Officer for Kilkenny in April 2008, Chrysalis Arts developed a proposal for a 'live' public art training project to address the need for specialist training for artists in public art skills and working to commission. This proposal was inspired by a visit to the Woodstock estate, which is managed by Kilkenny County Council, and the opportunity to link the proposal with the site and the ongoing restoration work taking place there. The Woodstock project draws upon previous public art training projects undertaken by Chrysalis and aimed to achieve the following: offer artists the experience of participating in key stages of the public art process including responding to a brief, selection, interviews; the development of an overall concept for the project, designs for individual artworks, research into materials and processes; the creation and installation of a series of site-specific artworks; and the promotion and presentation of the artworks to the public.

During this process the selected artists undertook research and public consultation and participated in different community involvement processes. The artists worked as a team and were encouraged to maximise opportunities for collaboration both with each other and with other potential partners. The ultimate aim was to create a unique, temporary public art installation which would explore and highlight the creative potential of the site. But it was also a programme which supported artists in gaining new skills and confidence and nurturing their professional practice and development.

The six artists selected to take part in the project were painter Gillian Campden, sculptor Philip Cullen, textile artist Caroline Schofield, media artist Deirdre Southey, artist Niamh White and writer Carmel Cummins. Culmination was a Contemporary Public Art Event celebrating Woodstock Gardens on Sunday 26th July 2009. This was a hugely successful event with a modestly estimated 800 visitors.

'We have called the event Woodstock Promenade as we want to invite the public to come and take a gentle stroll through the gardens to view and interact with the artworks as people would have done in Victorian times and have continued to do since then', commented Rick Faulkner, Director of Chrysalis Arts. 'Some of the artworks will draw upon archival material and stories of life at Woodstock whilst others will be inspired by the plants and layout of the gardens.'

Community participation has played an integral part in the development of the project and the artists have worked with schools and members of the community who have taken part in a range of workshop activities including painting, textiles and casting.

The Market

On Saturday 5th December 2009, Kilkenny County Council Arts Office was host to 'The Market', a number of amazing artists, illustrators and makers who were selling exceptional, original, unique, quirky, and exquisite creations. The range included jewellery, ceramics, paintings, crockery, t-shirts, fine art prints, sculptural pieces, cards, origami accessories, hats and vintage inspired headbands. Khans Bookstore offered a select range of books on a variety of topics including gardening, cookery, arts and culture and children's books. Of course no market would be complete with out offering sustenance hence we also had a range of cakes and cupcakes for sale from the delectable and luscious Swoon Artisan Bakehouse run by Angela Ryan and savouries, scones and breads from the lip-smacking Ladybird Catering run by Alma O' Farrell.

We offered you the opportunity to choose that special gift or treat for yourself from a diverse array of highly accomplished artists and makers including Chris Judge an illustrator and painter based in Dublin who mostly divides his time between commercial work and personal projects as well as procrastinating as often as possible. Etaoin Holahan studied fine art in both Kilkenny and Wales. Etaoin often works with large scale stencils and shadow paintings. She has been a member of Endangered Studios since its inception and works from her studio in the old workhouse in Callan, Co. Kilkenny and she presented us with a variety of wares on the day.

Rebekah Patterson makes unique, comfortable, striking hats and headpieces and sold bespoke hats and vintage inspired headbands on the day. Lesley Frew is a designer/maker based in Belfast. Lesley creates contemporary ethical jewelry using discarded plastic bags, tags and other consumer related items. Her choice of materials is deliberate; she chooses resources that are destructive to our environment and heading for landfill. Lesley gives these materials a second life, by transforming and reusing them. She enjoys confronting people's expectations by taking a discarded material, giving it a new value and showing that it can be beautiful. Adam Frew, also based in Belfast, has a passion for pots and at the market you were able to snap up some of his unique functional wear, i.e. jugs, bowls, jars and lots more besides. Lucia Parle is based in Cork and produces innovative and individual handmade objects of the highest quality and design, from domestic embellishment to decorative jewellery. Her greatest influences come from the domestic and her childhood memories.

Kate Strain is a Kilkenny based artist who also involves herself in facilitating others in workshops and organises events such as the very successful Light Off event in Thomastown in 2008. She presented us with prints and surprises! Steven Aylin, yet another Kilkenny based artist arrived with his wooden sketchbook and a series of unique t shirts, there is literally only one of each kind. Narumi Gunning joined us from Cork to delight us with her Origami creations and lots more besides. Whereas Audrey Kieran and Eimear McCormack came to us from Galway. Audrey is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator who in her spare time likes to doodle and make pretty things in her studio. Eimear is an artist and printmaker and between them you could enjoy cards, books, prints and more. Cathy Dineen is a freelance illustrator based in Kilkenny working in the areas of Design, Publishing and Advertising. Her work has been described as quirky, whimsical and humorous. She likes to draw what's around her, to her it's realism but as she says herself she is due an eye test. She also dabbles in the textile world. Andy Ryan has worked as a gilder, taught ceramics, and since 2000 has worked as project coordinator with an interior design company. And finally the trinity that is Alé Mercado, Atticus and Pitercios, also based in Kilkenny, has for more than 20 years been creating all kinds of visual imaginary.

MOOT

Kilkenny County Council's Arts Office in collaboration with Butler Gallery continued to manage and coordinate MOOT debates and discussions in 2009. MOOT is a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters. These events included - MOOT VI: THE CURRENT CLIMATE Art, Ecology and Sustainability. This was the second in our current series on art and the environment, investigating ecology and sustainable arts practice more specifically, and the potential role that artists, curators, educators and arts managers play in raising awareness of environmental issues and our ecology. We also hosted a talk on Art and Ecology with Dr. Jo Anna Issak, from John L Marion Chair in Art History, Fordham University, New York. Jo Anna Isaak traced modern art's sustained connection with nature and its subsequent role in environmental reform. She presented the work of a number of contemporary artists working in a variety of non traditional media, who are engaged in what she terms 'the greening of the avant-garde' -- employing their talents in the service of environmental awareness, providing innovative approaches and models of participatory engagement, designing solutions to environmental problems and broadening public concern for what is becoming the most pressing issue of our time - environmental degradation.  

Guerrilla Girls

We were thrilled to host a special event for the internationally known artists Guerrilla Girls in April 2009. This performance gig was part of the Millennium Court Arts Centre-organised all-Ireland Guerrilla Girl Research and New Work Project. The tour was a research project that will inform the Guerrilla Girls' new work which will then be shown at MCAC in October 2009 and touring to the co-commissioning venues in 2010.

Formed in 1985, the Guerrilla Girls explore such taboo subjects as feminism and fashion, attempting to achieve equality of the sexes and 'races' in art, politics, film, and popular culture, so calling themselves the 'Conscience of the Art World'. They wear gorilla masks in public to conceal their identities, placing the focus on issues rather than personalities, and work collectively and anonymously, to produce posters, films, billboards, public actions, books and other projects

Grants, Awards & Busaries

Various groups and projects secured funding through the Arts Office in 2009. These include the Drama League of Ireland Bursary and Tyrone Guthrie Bursary. Under the Arts Act Grant alone 32 individuals and groups received funding. Kilkenny County Council feels that the experience of attending high quality professional theatre like the Barnstorm productions should be part of all children's education. We fully understand the expense and effort for both parents and schools in bringing pupils to productions in Kilkenny City, particularly for smaller county-based schools. At the same time we are aware and appreciative of the production costs involved in professional theatre therefore we supported Barnstorm in offering to assist schools with the cost of attending performances by providing twenty school subsidies of €100 towards the cost of transport in 2009.

Ferrybank

The Ferrybank project is run in partnership with Waterford City Council, Waterford Area Partnership, and the Ferrybank Commmunity Development Group. The project has been developed as a long term participatory programme and is supported and informed by community development workers in Ferrybank. Long term commitment to projects such as these is imperative in order for the communities and artists to reap the rewards that life long learning can offer. It is engaging young people in the production of work and tackling education and social inclusion issues. The project is co funded by Kilkenny County Council, Waterford City Council and Waterford Area Partnership.

5 to 6 Project

The 5 to 6 Women's Art Project has been in operation since 2006. Essentially it is an inclusive arts based programme for women from Kilkenny city and county that provides life long learning by supporting women's development at a personal, social, cultural, political and economic level, while also forging links with the wider community. Extensive outreach work has been undertaken in order to address inclusion and audience development. The 5 to 6 Project is for women who are interested in meeting other women, having fun and using their imagination and those who would like to develop their artistic skills or rediscover old skills, while gaining or reawakening an understanding of art. It is for women over 18 from all walks of life and free of charge to participants. It is facilitated by both an artist facilitator and a personal development worker. They explore a range of different art forms, including painting, photography, drawing, film, sculpture and craft as well as themes including theory during the course of the programme. In addition to the weekly programme of meetings, a series of optional group outings to visit galleries, theatre, film and dance performances both in Kilkenny and at other locations throughout the country are organised and over the year's women from the 5 to 6 Project have worked with independent curators to produce exhibitions.

The Project is and has been funded in the past by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Per Cent for Art scheme, Pobail Capital Expenses, Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Community and Enterprise among other supporters. The project is guided by steering currently consisting of representatives from Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Community and Enterprise Dept., the HSE, the Rape Crisis centre, the Centre for Independent Living, Newpark Area Resource Centre and the Butler Gallery. Their main aims which were achieved over the duration of 2009 were: to continue to introduce and attract more women to the project; to maintain and support women who have been involved with the project; to develop a Women's Trust to further facilitate the development of social skills; to provide life long learning opportunities; and to raise awareness and promote well being through cultural activity.

'This project was a fantastic idea and I experienced a whole range of benefits. I embarked upon a personal journey in a space where I felt comfortable, confident and inspired.' (5 to 6 Project participant)

Artlinks

ArtLinks is a professional development service for creative practitioners of all disciplines, which is based on a unique and resource effective partnership between the Arts Departments of Local Authorities in the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wicklow and Wexford, The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaoin and creative practitioners from these counties. Initiated in 2005 ArtLinks now has a full-time Director based in Kilkenny County Council.

ArtLinks delivers four core services across the region: comprehensive website; professional development courses; artists bursary awards; and a mentoring programme. In 2009 ArtLinks undertook Professional Development Courses - 9 business courses and 9 artform courses with 277 participants. 5 Bursary Awards of €5,000 each were awarded, 1 per county with 14 other bursaries to support attendance at professional development courses run by national resource organisations including Music Network, Drama League of Ireland and Filmbase. The Mentoring Programme supported 12 visual artists.

Membership in 2009 reached 1,290, an increase of 52% on 2008, 359 from Co. Kilkenny.

An internship programme with WIT for post-graduate students to support marketing and areas of programme development commenced during 2009 with John Loftus, from the WIT MA in Arts and Heritage course the first participant.

In addition, ArtLinks was among those shortlisted for Ireland's eGovernment Awards 2009 in the Local Government category.  See www.artlinks.ie

HERITAGE

County Kilkenny Heritage Office

The role of the Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office is to provide advice and information on heritage issues and to develop policies and priorities for the identification, protection, conservation and enhancement of Kilkenny's heritage. A key objective is to work with the Kilkenny Heritage Forum in the preparation and implementation of the County Heritage Plan and the County Biodiversity Plan. In addition, the office promotes heritage awareness & education throughout the county.

Below is an overview of some of the works undertaken by the Heritage Office in 2009:

Heritage Plan & Heritage Forum

Implemented the following projects from the Kilkenny Heritage Plan and Kilkenny Biodiversity Plan (Draft), with financial support from the Heritage Council:

• Undertook a heritage audit of the northern section of the river nore (Ballynaslee to Ossory bridge).
• Undertook a survey of the flora of the historic walls of Kilkenny city.
• Ran a biodiversity awareness campaign on the local radio and local print media on the following themes; biodiversity; climate change; invasive species; protected species and habitats.
• Undertook a survey of sites of nature conservation interest in the County.
• Co-ordinated Kilkenny Heritage Forum meetings.

Raising Awareness about Heritage

• Co-ordinated and promoted National Heritage Week activities throughout the county, including production of 2000 copies of a county guide to events, local adverts on KCLR and print media and editorial on KCLR and print media. Over 40 events were organised in Kilkenny for Heritage Week.
• Ran a series of adverts/information pieces in the local media on the following heritage topics: invasive species; managing hedgerows.
• Funded the distribution of the DoEHLG publication "Maintenance; A guide to the care of older buildings" to 200 owners of Protected Structures, in support of the Conservation Officers update of the Record of Protected Structures.

Field Monument Advisor

• The Field Monument Advisor continued to provide advice and information to landowners regarding the care and management of archaeological monuments, with financial assistance from the Heritage Council. (January - August).

Heritage Training

• Co-ordinated "Historic Graveyard Management Training Seminar" for community groups, graveyard committees, local authorities and statutory agencies. Over 60 delegates attended seminar.
• In conjunction with the Environmental Awareness Officer and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, ran a hedge laying demonstration for the general public.
• In association with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the National Parks and Wildlife Service ran a Butterfly Monitoring Workshop. The workshop was part of the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. As a result of the workshop 3 new monitoring transects were established in Kilkenny city.
• Provided financial support to a seminar run by The Irish Georgian Society and the Kilkenny County Council Conservation Officer on Energy Efficiency in Historic Houses.

Collection of Heritage Data

• 3 new butterfly monitoring transects were established in Kilkenny city. The data from this is lodged with the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Heritage Advice

• Answering heritage queries and providing heritage advice to the general public.

Planning

• Provided heritage advice on planning applications, as requested by Kilkenny County Council planning section.

Heritage Policy

• Reported to Strategic Policy Committee 5 (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Education) regarding heritage projects and programme.

Physical Heritage Management Projects

• Supported Kilkenny Borough Council in the conservation and repair works to Kilkenny City Walls (City Wall at Abbey Street) with financial support from the Irish Walled Towns Network
• Chaired the garden restoration steering committee that oversaw the restoration of the Rothe House 17^th Century Garden.
• Co-ordinated the Kilkenny County Council Historic Graveyard Grants Scheme, in partnership with Environment Section.

Promoting Best Practise in Heritage Management

• On-going implementation of "St. Mary's Church and Graveyard Conservation Plan", in partnership with the Church of Ireland and the Heritage Council.
• On-going implementation of "Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan".
• On-going implementation of Rothe House Conservation Plan.

This page includes the following sections:

• Library Services
• Arts
• Heritage

LIBRARY SERVICES

Service Points:

• Callan
• Castlecomer
• City Library, John's Quay
• Co. Library Headquarters (Administration and Local Studies)
• Graiguenamanagh
• Loughboy
• Mobile Service
• Schools Service
• Thomastown
• Urlingford

Library Stock

Borrowing of books continues to be the most popular library activity and this is reflected in the welcome and substantial increase in our annual bookfund from €100,000 in 2003 to €220,000 in 2005. You can also borrow music CD's, cassettes and magazines, or you can read newspapers in the library. Large print books, book-on-tape, language courses are also available.

We cater for all ages and stages. For teenagers, there are dedicated Young Adult sections and popular chart music selections. All our libraries have books, tapes and videos/dvds for children, while some branches have toys for playing with in the library. Lots of children's activities take place in our branches including: an annual Children's Bookfest, Storytelling for children and a Mother and Toddler group at Castlecomer library. Library membership for children under 14 years is FREE. Adults can share their reading experiences through our Reading Groups at Castlecomer and Loughboy Libraries - "Pageturners" and "Riveting Reads" respectively. We have comprehensive reference sections in all branches and staff can help to find what is needed, be it for study, interest, research or just for fun.

Libraries are for everybody especially for people who can't read very well and would like to improve their skills, and for people who can't read at all. We help by providing Adult Literacy collections in the City, Castlecomer and Urlingford libraries.

Ireland's society is becoming increasingly multicultural. Kilkenny is now home to many people of different nationalities and cultures, be they refugees, asylum seekers or immigrants. To support social inclusion in this area we have introduced a World book collection for our borrowers at the City Library, including Fiction in Arabic, Czech, German, Latvian, Lithuanin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish. Other Word language resources include dictionaries and International newspapers for Reference and English language courses and International Magazines for lending. Each branch has access to this World Book Collection at the City Library, as well a their own selection of English language courses

Library Services

We have 23 PC's for Public Internet Access between our branches. Our library website www.kilkennylibrary.ie incorporates our Library catalogue. Members of the Public can search the catalogue and view recommended titles. Library members can also view their account details and renew and reserve items. Microsoft Word and Excel are also available for Public use on a dedicated PC in each branch.

We have a PC with document scanner and software for the visually impaired and for readers with learning difficulties at Castlecomer Library . The software which includes Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, Zoomtext Magnifier and JAWS - converts print to speech, enlarges print, highlights and rearranges text to suit the reader with learning difficulties. This service will be extended to other branches during 2006.

Our Libraries are focal points in the Community and provide venues for: Adult Literarcy tutorials; Local History and Active Retirement Group activities; a Homework Club in Urlingford; Citizen Information, Housing and Planning Clinics; French classes in Castlecomer and Children's events during Kilkenny Arts Festival.

If you are doing a thesis for a Local Studies degree, writing a local parish history, interested in checking old newspapers for hurling match reports, looking up your family history, we can help in our Local Studies Department at Co. Library H.Q. You will also find some general local studies files on the locality in each branch.

Highlights of our 2005 Programme

Library Ireland Week

Library Ireland Week from the 5^th - 12^th March 2005 was a national celebration of the important role of libraries and librarians. Kilkenny County Library Service organised a plethora of events around this time in and outside of the library.

On World Book Day children's author Herbie Brennan visited Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Castlecomer Libraries.

Loughboy Library had a "Seachtain na Gaeilge" book display and a puppet show.

The City Library held an "Introduction to the Internet" with library staff - for young and old and a "Make a book workshop" for children.

There was an Irish Wildlife Trust Composting workshop at Castlecomer library and staff at the City Library, John's Quay, Graiguenmanagh Library and Castlecomer Library all held Coffee mornings for Daffodil day. While a FREE draw for book tokens took place in all branches.

We introduced a Reading Corner, with a taster collection of children's library books in the foyer in County Hall, for young children, waiting with their parents to avail of Co. Council services. While Library talks and presentations were made to: 1st year students of CBS Secondary School, Kilkenny , Johnstown Active Retirement Group and Gowran National School pupils

READISCOVER your local library

READISCOVER your local library ran from 20^th - 27^th June as public libraries all over the Country, supported by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act. The week was launched in Kilkenny at Loughboy Library by Brian Cody, Manager of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team. Tom Doorley visited the City Library on 23^rd June and gave talk on food, wine and organic gardening and read from his book "Muckand Merlot". Mick Hanly, hosted an evening of music and reading at Graiguenamanagh Library on Friday 24^th June at 8pm and read from his book "Wish Me Well". Media events included library book club members and library staff appearing on "On the record", with Sue Nunn on KCLR96fm. While Dorothy O'Reilly, Assistant Librarian appeared on "Your Neighbourhood" with Carmel Brennan, to talk about the Library Service. Edwina Grace's VOXPOP on the Kilkenny People asked the Public what they were reading, and they made complimentary comments about the Library Service.

Our library website and catalogue at www.kilkennylibrary.ie was updated with a new selection of recommended reads by library staff. Each branch had a book display:

• Food and Wine in the City Library,
• Travel in Loughboy Library,
• Local Authors and Irish Writers in Graiguenamanagh, Urlingford and Thomastown Libraries and
• Hans Christian Andersen 200th Anniversary in Callan Library.

Heritage Week

For Heritage week in September there was a Heritage Quiz for children in Castlecomer and Loughboy Library had an ENFO history and heritage exhibition for secondary schools.

During Agatha Christie Week 12^th - 17^th September, the City Library had a colourful display of her works and those of other crime fiction writers, complete with props - a mouse trap and a magnifing glass! There was a lucky dip for all readers who borrowed crime/detective novels around that time.

Promotional Displays and material

Ceád Mile Fáilte @ your library, was the first of our bi-annual Library displays in St. Canice's Credit Union Window, High St , Kilkenny from March 15^th - 21^st. Our 2nd display which was targeted at Children took place just before the Children's Book Festival and highlighted our wonderful selection of children's stock.

Callan Library took part in a Community Group/ Organisations display in Friary Hall resulting in a number of new members for the branch. Library H.Q staff had a display of library stock on Health and Fitness issues at the Health Promotion day for staff in County Hall.

Castlecomer, Graiguenamananagh and the City Library all produced their own colourful newsletters during the year which inform the Public about Library services, stock and events. While we collaborated with Kilkenny County Council's Heritage Officer Dearbhala Ledwidge in funding History Ireland's "Kilkenny : Irish Historic Town's Atlas No. 10 " by John Bradley.

Children's Activities

Children's BookFest 2005 at Halloween included: Rosie's Exotic animal shows with 5 animal species - snake, lizard, polecat, owl and hedgehog, No cook party food workshop, card games and tricks, dominoes, First Aid, Poetry reading, bedtime stories, puppet making and puppet shows, a national bookmark competiton and an Inter-branch library quiz etc.

Summer Activities took place in all branches during July/August. This year these included, a Harry Potter fancy dress competition, maskmaking, weaving, puppet shows, arts and crafts, puzzles and library skills competions, storytelling. etc. We ran reading clubs in all branches to encourage children to keep reading during the school holidays and to use the Library Service. During the year we organized author visits for local schools. The authors included Irish and U.K names: Mary Arrigan, Brian Og Brady Dawson, Ann Jungman, Vincent McDonnell, Deirdre McCarthy , Aubrey Flegg and Niall de Burca.

askaboutireland.ie

www.askaboutireland.ie is a website which has been created as part of a Cultural Heritage Project for the digitisation of Local Sources online. It is an initiative of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government through the Information Society Fund and The Heritage Council. In Phase 1 and 2 of this project, Kilkenny County Library Service covered:

• George Berkeley of Dysart Court;
• the Tighe Family and Woodstock Estate;
• Woodstock Arboretum;
• Woodstock Estate and Woodstock House.

Our contribution for Phase 3 is on the Castlecomer plateau and the influence of the physical geography on the subsequent history of the area. It is broken down as follows:

• Origins;
• The Wandesforde Legacy and
• Coalmining in Castlecomer.

We received funding of c.€23,000 for phases 1 and 2 and €27,000 for phase 3.

Carrigan Centenary

2005 marked the Centenary of the Publication of Canon William Carrigan's seminal work - "The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory". The County Librarian was an active member of the Committee, formed to mark this important occasion. Among the activities which took place were:

• An Autumn commemorative seminar in St Kierans College, for which the Library Service did a photographic exhibition of places in County Kilkenny pertaining to Carrigan's History.
• A CD-Rom of his four volume work and index.
• A commemorative garden and monument at Ballyfoyle his birthplace.

Statistics : 2007 :

• 18,685 Registered Borrowers
• 308,049 Items loaned
• 7,967 Internet Access Sessions

Service Indicators 2005

No. of items issued per head of population:

ARTS SECTION

Kilkenny is a City and County teeming with creativity, imagination, ingenuity and skill. It is home to an array of highly talented and resourceful arts practitioners and organisations and we host an array of Arts events and festivals annually.

Participating and involving yourself in the arts and creative endeavours offer and encompass many social, cultural and educational benefits. For many they can be purely for pleasure and liberation. Others recognise creativity as a tool for increasing confidence, encouraging people to take positive risks and assuring people that it's good to raise their values and expectations. The Arts also strengthen communities and further develop pride in our localities.

2005 was a very productive, vibrant and progressive year in relation to the projects undertaken. Many of our events involved and invited both arts practitioners and the community at large.

Exhibitions and Community

Three exhibition venues managed by The Arts Office are County Hall, The Gallery Upstairs in the Watergate Theatre and No 72 John Street. The venues offer artists platforms to expose their work not only to gallery visitors 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. Exhibitions so far this year have included:

County Hall, John Street hosted Stepping Outside, a mixed media exhibition of work by patients from the Central Mental Hospital , Dublin , Re-mapped-drawing, painting and photography exploring the theme of cartography by David Beattie, On Line paintings and prints by the art group KUBE.

Gallery Upstairs in the Watergate Theatre hosted shows such as ARapa Das Betas an exhibition of photography by Gwen Wilkinson, All the Glories of Youth Dear Boy, paintings by Stephen Hennessy and Elements an exhibition of paintings by Louise Allen.

No 72 John Street was host to 3 Degrees mixed media by KCAT artists, Bealtaine an exhibition of works by Tony O'Malley and Patrick Scott in association with Butler Gallery, Requiem to A Fly by Paul Murnaghan  - sound work in collaboration with Butler Gallery, From The Portfolios, an exhibition of drawings by Patrick O'Connor and Violence Against Women 365 poster exhibition.

Residency - David Beattie completed an eight week residency from May to July at No. 72 John Street. David investigated and experimented with sound within the context of the local environment i.e. The County Hall, its grounds and the street immediately outside 72 John Street.

Literature

The Poetry Broadsheet publication gives local writers a platform for their work through involving a professional editor, Peter Denman Dean of Arts in Maynooth, in selecting poems from writers within the city and county, the culmination of which is the publication of an A1 Broadsheet.

The Rhyme Rag broadsheet is specifically for young people was launched in September 2005. A publication for young people edited by local writer Frank Marshall and contains the poems of seventeen young poets from 12 to 20 years.

LKJ literary event took place in April 2005 featuring Linton Kwesi Johnson, the world's first dub poet, and is the only living poet to be published by Penguin Classics. Two other poets who appeared with LKJ on the night were Gear ó id Mac Lochlainn and Rita Ann Higgins.

Theatre

In February "Stuck in the Mud", a production by Barnstorm Theatre Company, was shown in the Watergate Theatre. The experience of attending high quality professional theatre like the Barnstorm productions should be part of all children's education. The Arts Office provided subsidies to a number of County Kilkenny based schools to enable them to attend this production in 2005.

Music

Faust 1920's black and white silent film by F.W. Murnau's was screened in April 2005. The film was accompanied by a live performance of a new soundtrack by 3epkano.

Collaborations with Kilkenny Music Club in their series of Autumn concerts allowed for a number of classical concerts in 2005 such as the Royal Irish Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra performance. Duiske concerts series featuring the Chieftans was also supported by the Arts Office in November 2005.

Multi-Disciplanary Events

2006 multi disciplinary events included 3Epkano, who performed live music accompaniment to classic 1920's films with support from Dublin band The Ruby Taillights and up and coming Kilkenny band A Safe Dry Place. ReProduction, a focussed weekend of events including performances, installations, films, dancers, DJs and visual arts by both national and internationally based artists took place during the Kilkenny Arts Festival. This event was co curated by Mary Butler, Arts Officer and Louise Allen education curator at the Butler Gallery. It was described as a 'wild experience of untammed, bizzare and curious art'. The event was also commended by the Arts Council for its daring initiative and aspects also featured in the Kilkenny Peoples top ten arts events of 2006.

Professional Development

The professional development programme broadened the knowledge and developed the skills of arts practitioners in "Making an arts career a realistic ambition for excellent and innovative artists". Two series of courses have been completed this year in collaboration with the Butler Gallery.

March Series:

• Artists as Educators with Kate Buckley & Chrissie Poulter.
• Photographing Your Work with local photographer Suzanna Crampton.
• Tax Exemption / Self Employment with Brendan Allen, Chartered Accountant. Case Studies & Career Paths with Maria Kerin Curator, Clare Dave Begley, Hopewire, Wexford.

May Series :

• Career Paths or Musicians, Ken Allen (Factory Studios Faction Records), Angela Dorgan (Federation of Music collectives), Keith Johnson (IMRO) and Canice Kenealy (ex Engine Alley).
• Arts Council of Ireland information session with Paul Johnson, Arts Council.
• Approaching Galleries + Exhibition Proposals, Anna O'Sullivan (Butler Gallery), Robert Miller (Gallery NY), Paul O'Reilly (ev+a, Limerick) and Josephine Kelliher, (Rubicon Gallery).
• New media and Technology in contemporary art with John Gerrard and Anna Hill.

Freeform

Freeform is a project designed to allow maximum exposure, access and engagement to the contemporary arts using accessible media technology. Freeform aims to develop an innovative model for engaging young people in an interactive way with the arts. The Freeform project assesses the potential for museums, galleries and arts venues to use a similar model to engage young audiences in collections and exhibitions nationally and internationally.

Freeform primarily target schools, youth groups, community groups, special needs groups and people with learning disabilities. In November 2005 the Butler Gallery and Kilkenny County Council Arts Office hosted a series of workshops in collaboration with Saffron pictures introduced a selected number of participants from a cross section of the community to the Butler Gallery collection and to Audio Visual Presentation Software. The project used recently developed animation software (AVP) and allowed groups to animate objects in real time. Images from the Butler Gallery Collection were used as source material. Using AVP software participants were able to select aspects of the work and animate them instantly.

Overall, Freeform addresses the needs of the various groups in relation to technological developments in the contemporary arts and will extend into 2006.

MOOT

Kilkenny County Council's Arts Office in collaboration with the Butler Gallery presented "MOOT III", the third in a series of discussions and seminars. This event consisted of a panel of professionals and the audience engaged in heated debate and discussion. The panel were chosen to provide a good balance of artists whose work is involved with new media and digital technologies and artists who work in a contemporary field, where work is dependant on technology to some degree but not exclusively.

"shutdown : restart" considered the changes facing the contemporary arts in terms of new media and digital technologies. This was the third event in what will be a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters. These events will, potentially, transform expectations, citing shifts in attitudes, perceptions and beliefs.

'5 to 6' Kilkenny Womens Art Project

"5 to 6"is an inclusive arts based programme accessible to all women. It will provide life long learning by supporting womens development at a personal, social, cultural, political and ecomomic level and will forge links with the wider community. The project aims to address issues of gender, equality, value, community, self esteem and empowerment through the arts. The arts can be used as a tool for learning and as a mechanism to address sensitive issues in a safe, creative and relaxed environment.

Young People and the Community

The arts office works with others to help bring the arts closer to local communities'. Projects are undertaken within a variety of community settings and contexts. These "broaden and enrich participation" and also serve to "enhance audiences"

Arts Act Grants

Arts Act Grants and Bursaries were received by individuals, groups and organisations in the community assisting the development of the arts in a diverse range of art practices.

Kilkenny County Council Arts Act Grants and Bursaries are available to those falling into three categories:

1. Groups and Organisations promoting the Arts
2. Equipment Purchasing Grant
3. Individual Artists - all art forms

Applications were also invited for the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary Scheme, a two week residency in Annaghmakerrig for practitioners in all art forms, of which two Kilkenny Artists accepted.

Contributions to Other Bodies

The Arts Office supports and contributes to other bodies - Rothe House, the Watergate Theatre, Barnstorm Theatre Company and Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Strategic Arts Plan

The completion of the Strategic Arts Plan is our vision for the future of the Arts in Kilkenny and it is paramount for us as a people and for our economy. This Strategy is a necessary tool for Kilkenny to develop its vision for the future of the Arts within the City and County. It will provide the framework within which the arts can develop and flourish into our future. Kilkenny and its population can only benefit from the development and implementation of this strategy.

At present the Kilkenny Arts Strategy 2005 - 2009 is available online on the Kilkenny County Council website www.kilkennycoco.ie and will be published in the coming months.

HERITAGE:

County Kilkenny Heritage Office

The role of the Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office is to provide advice and information on heritage issues and to develop policies and priorities for the identification, protection, conservation and enhancement of Kilkenny's heritage. A key objective is to establish and work with a Heritage Forum in the preparation and implementation of a County Heritage Plan. In addition, the office promotes heritage awareness and education throughout the county.

Below is an overview of some of the achievements of the Heritage Office in 2005:

Raising Awareness about Heritage

• Co-ordination and promotion of National Heritage Week activities throughout the county.
• Promotion of Heritage Council "Heritage in Schools" Programme.
• Co-ordination of county-wide "Pride in Place" Competition to promote and encourage best practice in natural and built heritage management in towns and villages around the county, in conjunction with BNS LEADER.
• Production of Kilkenny Local Authorities Environment & Heritage Calendar, in partnership with Environment Section.

Heritage Training

• Co-ordination of "Historic Graveyard Management Training Seminar" for community groups, graveyard committees, local authorities and statutory agencies.

Collection of Heritage Data

• Commissioned an audit of Historic Graveyards of Kilkenny City and County.

Heritage Policy

• Reporting to Strategic Policy Committee 5 (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Education) regarding heritage projects and programme.
• Input on heritage aspects of Local Area Plans.

Physical Heritage Management Projects

• Co-ordinated Feasibility Study for a proposed Integrated Cultural Facility
• Launched and co-ordinated the Historic Graveyard Grants Scheme, in partnership with Environment Section of Kilkenny County Council.

Promoting Best Practise in Heritage Management

• Launch and implementation of "St. Mary's Church and Graveyard Conservation Plan", in partnership with the Church of Ireland and the Heritage Council
• Launch and implementation of "Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan", in partnership with the Heritage Council
• Joined the Irish Walled Towns Network
• Commissioned Management Plan for Talbot's Tower, part of the Kilkenny City Walls structure

St. Mary's Graveyard

This page includes the following sections:

• Library Services
• Arts

LIBRARY SERVICES

Service Points:

• Callan
• Castlecomer
• City Library, John's Quay
• Co. Library Headquarters (Administration and Local Studies)
• Graiguenamanagh
• Loughboy
• Mobile Service
• School's Service
• Thomastown
• Urlingford

A Community Service

If you can't come to us, we come to you, with our computerised Mobile Library Service, making 60 stops around the County. It visits each stop - on average, once every three weeks. Our Schools' Library Service serves 9,404 primary school children and their teachers, visiting each school, 3 times per year for book exchanges.

A Family Service

Whatever your age there is something for you. Perhaps you need general information - an address; a new recipe; instructions on learning to drive, D.I.Y.; building a house; managing money; raising children etc. We cover these areas and much more.

We have all kinds of books, from romances to thrillers, sports to fashion, whatever your interest. While teenagers, are well catered for in our Young Adult sections.

If we do not have a particular book in stock, we will do our best to get it through our inter-branch and inter-library loan networks. Our Public Access Internet PC's can be used to book a holiday or flight and to access many other services and information. You can also use them to keep in touch with your family and friends around the Globe by e-mail.

You can borrow music CD's or cassettes - there is something to suit all tastes. All our libraries have popular magazines that can be borrowed and newspapers for reading in the library. Large print books, books on tape, language course, and some CD-ROMs, are also available. We have comprehensive Reference Sections and staff can help to find what is needed, be it for study, interest, research, or just for fun.

Library membership for children under 14 years is FREE. All our libraries have books and tapes for children, while some branches have toys for playing with in the library. Lots of children's activities take place in our library branches including: an annual Children's Book Festival, Book clubs etc. and a Mother and Toddler Group at Castlecomer Library.

We have a well stocked Local Studies Department at Co. Library H.Q. Whether you are doing a thesis for a Local Studies Degree, writing a local parish history, interested in checking old newspapers for hurling match reports, looking up your family history, we can help. Our stock includes: 1901 and 1911 censuses; 19th Century R.C. Parish registers and local papers, from Finn's Leinster Journal of 1767 to present day Kilkenny People. You will also find some general local studies files in your local branch library.

Libraries are for everybody including, people who can't read very well and who would like to improve their skills, and people who can't read at all. We help through our Literacy collections and by providing facilities for Adult Literacy tutorials.

Highlights of our 2003 Programme

www.kilkennylibrary.ie and Web OPAC

A new website was created for the Library Service incorporating our Library catalogue on the Web. The Public can now search the catalogue and view recommended titles. Library members can also view their account details and Renew and Reserve items.

Special Olympics

Kilkenny City hosted the German Team, while Callan and Thomastown played host to teams from the Cote d'Ivoire and Alaska respectively. Activities were run in the local branches to mark the occasion. German classes for children - sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Kilkenny - were held in the City Branch. Callan Library was a venue for the "Paint the Feeling" art exhibition. While Thomastown Library had a quiz and colouring competition for children, on Alaska and it's flag.

Graig 800

Graiguenamanagh celebrates the 800th Anniversary of its foundation in 2004. A year long series of celebrations,was launched on 9th June, in Graiguenamanagh library by Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism, John O'Donoghue. Co. Manager, Michael Malone Co. Librarian, James Fogarty and local Councillor, Joan Murphy also attended the launch.

Bealtaine Festival

During the Festival an exhibition of creative writing and cross stitch by KARA (Kilkenny Active Retirement Association) was held in Loughboy Library.

Kilkenny Local Radio

In July, Senior library Assistant, Mary Morrissey and Assistant Librarian, Dorothy O'Reilly, appeared on "Summertime with Deirdre Quinn", to talk about the Library Service and good summer reads.

Summertime Activities for Children

A host of activities for children took place in all library branches around the County during July and August. These included: Reading Challenges; Art and Crafts workshops; Storytime, Gymboree Music and Jellybean Julie for younger children. In addition, a number of workshops were run, by the Co. Council's Environmental Awareness Officer.

Kilkenny Arts Festival

Kilkenny libraries played host to a storytellers, Liz Weir, Dan Yashinsky (UNICEF Canada's Storyteller in Residence) and native American Dovie Thomason, Sickles

100 years of Carnegie Libraries

This photographic exhibition by South County Dublin, An Taisce was officially launched in County Hall, on 9th September by the Heritage Officer Dearbhala Ledwidge Dolores Gaffney, Chief Information Officer, Kilkenny Castle gave a short talk on Kilkenny Libraries. Local studies librarian, Declan Macauley, put together an accompanying display including; A selection of Archives from the Kilkenny Library Society - which preceded the Carnegie Library; some annual reports of the County Library Service from the 1930's; and some Kilkenny County Library Service Union Catalogues from the 1960's.

Children's Book Festival 2003

This ran from 28th - 31st October in all branches and was a huge success. It included author visits by Tom McCaughren, Lucinda Jacob, Vincent McDonnell and Eanna Ni Lamhna - the Insect lady!

Events included:

• Art and Craft and Music workshops,
• Science is Magic and History Alive shows,
• an Inter-branch Library Quiz, and
• presentations to Reading Challenge participants.

There was also a local heat of the National "Design a Bookmark Competition", sponsored by Youth Library Group of the Library Association.

Jacqueline Wilson Play

43 first year students from Castlecomer Community College, attended the play "Double Act", by well known children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, in the Helix Theatre Dublin, on Monday 10th November. The outing was organized by Castlecomer Library Staff members Mary Morrissey and Aisling Kelly. They accompanied the group, together with Anna Byrne of the School's Library Service. A good time was had by all.

Training Courses for Library Staff

Staff took part in the following courses during the year:

• Reading Readiness development and the Role of Storytelling,
• Readers on the Web,
• Introduction to Marketing and Reader development for Librarians,
• Making your own Xmas gifts,
• VEC Family History Research course,
• Dealing with Aggression,
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Publishing courses

Local Studies 2003

The following were the highlights of 2003 in the area of Local Studies/genealogy.

• Kilkenny County Library participated in the Government sponsored Cultural Heritage Project. In brief, the project administered by the Library Council of Ireland aims to use the Internet to make the holdings of County Libraries" Local Studies" accessible on-line. In phase one of the project the Library designed a small web-site commemorating the life of George Berkelely.
• The year 2003 marked the 250th anniversary of the death of George Berkeley. The library was active in the setting up of Kilkenny's new Berkeley Committee and the organization of the autumn's Commemorative Anniversary Conference in the Parade Tower in Kilkenny Castle. The Conference allowed Berkeley scholars around the world to exchange views and also see the City where Berkeley was educated. The Library mounted an exhibition on the Life of George Berkeley in the City Library to coincide with the Conference.
• In phase two of the Cultural Heritage Project, the Library is doing a project on the Woodstock Estate. The project covers three separate themes, flora and fauna; the trees of Woodstock, architecture; Woodstock House, Big Houses of Ireland; The Tighe Family. We are hoping to have these sites online in early 2004.
• 2005 marks the hundred anniversary of the publication of Canon Carrigan's work "The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory". It is planned locally and nationally to mark this important event. The County Librarian is actively involved on the Carrigan Committee in formulating events to mark this occasion.
• The Library continued with its active policy of collecting local newspapers in 2003. Issues of the Kilkenny Journal from the late 19th and early 20th Century were acquired on microfiche. The Library finished compiling a joint location index for the 1901 and 1911 Census. The Local Studies holdings are now available on-line via the Library's online public access catalogue.

Library Statistics 2002 (Latest):

• 204,000 Library visits.
• 8,394 Registered Borrowers.
• 280,104 Items loaned.
• 9,501 Internet Access Sessions.

Library Servuce Indicators 2002 (Latest):

No. of Items Issued Per Head of Population:

ARTS SECTION

Introduction

""My intentions for 2003 were to spend much of my time and resources on researching, within each art form. Assessing 'wants and needs' and taking stock, with a view to putting appropriate measures into place. Thus enabling me to devise my aims and objectives, policies and structures for the Arts in Kilkenny. Very early on it became clear that an Arts Strategy for Kilkenny City and County was of utmost importance as was surveying and investigating leading to pilot schemes for practitioners and community groups. The appetite, passion and enthusiasm for the Arts in Kilkenny is vast yet many of the structures and policies necessary for a more successful and thriving scene are not yet in place. Ensuring the development and security of this is a time consuming task and one that is worth taking time over. This Strategy and its implementation will create solid foundations, which can be built upon in the future, ensuring a successful and prosperous Arts environment within the region. 2003 was also be a time for me to initiate and instigate a number of Pilot Schemes, Projects and Programmes based upon the outcome of my research with a view to cultivating and developing these in the coming years.""

Mary Butler, Arts Officer.

Relocation of the Arts Office

The Arts Office relocated to a more central position in town. We moved from the Hebron Road to Parliament Street, a much more suitable and accessible site for both ourselves and the public.

Visual Arts

County Hall Exhibitions
County Hall's Exhibition programme commenced in 2003 with "Composition" which ran from February - April. This was a site specific show by Ireland's only Dutch Master Florist, Lamber de Bie. It was created specifically for the Link Corridor area of the building. The exhibition was filmed by RTE for viewing on Nationwide.

From May - June, the students from Kilkenny School of Art and Design showcased their work in an exhibition called "Virtual Notebook". The work included a wide range of mediums which chartered the artists progression and investigation.

R.I.A.I. Exhibition. Annual show of Royal Irish Architects Institute, photography exhibition of award winning buildings.

Throughout the month of August, "Transitions" brought together 18 artists with various abilities from Kilkenny Collective for Arts Talent. KCAT creates an environment in which students and artists from different backgrounds can work together as creative equals and in which learning is a possibility for everyone. "Transitions" included works by both artists and mentors from the KCAT studio. This fantastic group show included a beautiful installation utilizing the three tiers of County Hall. This show was the main exhibition organized by the Arts Office for the Kilkenny Arts Festival 2003.

September saw the opening of an exhibition highlighting 100 years of Carnegie Libraries, a historical view of Libraries in Ireland.

Throughout October and November, an exhibition on Litter was shown, the objective being to raise the public's awareness on the problem of litter, locally, nationally and internationally.

Kilkenny Arts Festival, Exhibitions
"Full Circle", Art Route was a diverse variety of shows sited throughout various venues in Kilkenny. Alternative spaces such as the canal lodge, an old hairdressing salon and external city centre shop walls were secured to show the work of a number of active contemporary local artists. A leaflet was produced and this Art Route, was the first of its kind for Kilkenny's Arts Festival. The shows consisted of a wide range of techniques and media including painting, drawing, sculpture, installation work, photography and ceramics.

Watergate Theatre, Gallery Upstairs
Refurbishment. The Watergate Theatre exhibition space was in jeopardy earlier this year due to the cessation of the current Arts and Travellers FAS scheme. This space was far too precious to lose for many reasons, specifically because of the lack of exhibition space within Kilkenny. Therefore the Arts Office took on the co ordination of the exhibitions. It was not an ideal space but had great potential to become a more appropriate exhibition area. We have managed to very successfully refurbish this space. Therefore it's potential for hosting larger works and a more diverse exhibition programme has increased greatly. Also, due to the refurbishment it was endorsed as an official exhibition venue for the 2003 Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Watergate Exhibitions
Throughout 2003 a total of twelve exhibitions were shown at the Watergate Theatre in The Gallery Upstairs. January showcased the work of a number of artists from KCAT, Hazel Bradshaw exhibited in February and Kathleen Holohan in March. In April, artist John Davis showed a collection of painted and photographic images. Paintings by artist Michael Mcgrath depicting landsape and theatrical images were exhibited throughout May.

This was followed by artist Mary Butler in June with a site - specific textile installation using traditional and non-traditional techniques. Claire Hogan exhibited in July with an exhibition of prints. The Kilkenny Arts Festival show in August featured artist Steve Aylin's landscape paintings reflecting the Irish landscape. An exhibition essentially about animals was represented through the work of artist Anna Walshe in September. In October large scale paintings and sculptural shoes was an exhibition by artist Kathleen Delaney. Julie Moorehouse exhibited in November with a collection of figurative paintings. An exhibition of drawings and paintings based on the transition to motherhood was viewed by Grace Hamilton in December.

Children's Workshops
July/August Workshop for 7-12 year olds. 'Skyworks' - a week-long workshop for children in Loughboy Library where participants created a variety of sky related images which were suspended from the library ceiling, highlighting the theme of space.

August Workshop for children under 6 in Castlecomer Library based on summer crafts.

October workshops for children were held in various County Libraries. 'Storybook Masks' and 'Autumn Decorations' were two workshops for 6-12 year olds held in Castlecomer Library. In Loughboy Library, 'Create your own spooky story' based on a musical workshop was held which allowed children to experience creating various sounds and relating the sounds to words. In Callan Library, another music workshop was held for the same age group. 'Bookworks' was the title of a workshop held in Urlingford Library and Kilkenny City Library. 'Mask-making' was held. 'Rio 'round the corner' a music workshop based on traditional Brazilian Carnival samba was held in the Fr. McGrath Centre.

Workshops in Schools
In collaboration with Kilkenny's School Completion Programme, the following workshops were held:

Gaelscoil Osrai, two-day paper making course where students learnt the basic techniques of paper making and working with plant fibre. This workshop was also held in St. John's National School Kilkenny. 'Personal Murals' was a series of five Saturday morning workshops with students from the Colaiste Pobail Osrai, who created painting on large panels using handmade stencils.

Creative Opportunity for the Community / Public (ongoing)
An opportunity for the Public to design postcards with any medium using any techniques. It is envisaged that over 1,500 postcards will be exhibited in the County Hall 2004, with the sale from the postcards generating funding that will benefit the children in the community by organising a children's Art Day.

De fil en aguile
I, Mary Butler, collaborated with French artist Francoise Dupre and a group of local women based in the city. Francoise took part in the IMMA Residency programme. "The project is process-based. To sit down together and knit and talk about things....relevant to the group (social, cultural issues etc....) then bring the knitting together into an installation.". She travelled to Kilkenny regularly to work with the group. Thus involving them in her residency project which is called fil en aiguille. The knitting created by Francoise, a group of women in Dublin and the women from Kilkenny was then exhibited at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in January 2004.

Theatre

In February, 'Little Victories', a production by Barnstorm was shown in the Watergate Theatre, which employed various theatrical skills including masks, puppetry, fantasy and special effects. The Arts Office provided subsidies to a variety of County based schools to enable them to attend this production.

Music

In February the National Chamber Choir, Ireland's premier chamber choir performed in the Parade Tower Kilkenny.

The Duiske Abbey presented a series of classical performances in November with Neil Cooney playing Bach, Schumann, Chopin and Liszt. Also performing throughout the month were The Moscow piano Trio.

In August, the Steinway Piano made a historical move from Duiske Abbey to Ballytobin, Callan Co. Kilkenny. This decision was based on providing more suitable conditions in order to preserve the piano into the future and to maintaining its value for the City and County.

Professional Development For Practitioners

Arts Survey
Various surveys were designed and sent to artists of all art forms, visual art, visual art and makers, writers, performance artists, musicians and song writers. The survey was carried out in order to obtain a more accurate picture of art activities in the City and County, and to access further ways in which to develop the arts in Kilkenny.

Free Networking Events organised for Artists and Writers
Three Networking Events were organised for artists and writers in the community.

In October an event for visual artists and makers was held in the cellar bar of the Smithywicks Brewery Club. A talk was given by French artist Francoise Dupre.

This was followed in November with an event in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle for visual artists with a talk given by well-known artist Blaise Smith.

In December, a networking event was held for writers in the Parade Tower and the talk was given by writer Michael Coady, winner of the Patrick Kavanagh Award in 1979 and who has published three collections of poetry and prose.

The Networking Events were organised to present and opportunity for artists of all forms to come together, network and socialise. Each event began with an inspiring talk followed by a question and answer session. The events proved to be highly successful in achieving their objectives which was related in the evaluation sheets for artists to complete.

The Networking events will be continued in 2004.

Studios and residency Spaces in the City.
The former Chadwicks premises in Kilkenny was acquired by Kilkenny County Councils Arts Office on a temporary basis.

From the 3rd November to the 19th December, students from the Kilkenny School of Art and Design moved in to the building to further their studies undertaking research and the creation of temporary site specific work on the premises. It is envisaged that the building will be further employed to develop short term studio spaces and residencies for artists.

Portfolio Advice and Life drawing Course
On the 13th - 14th December, a Portfolio and life drawing course was run in Ormonde College. The course facilitated students in preparation for Art College providing them with valuable guidance in the presentation and content of their portfolios. They also received two full days of experience in drawing from life.

Introduction to Papermaking
This one-day course in November provided an opportunity for artists to experience and learn the basic techniques of papermaking including knowledge of using plant fibre.

Arts Act Grants

A total of 20 Arts Act Grants were received by individuals and groups/organisations in the community assisting the development of the arts in a diverse range of art practices.

Contributions to Other Bodies

The Arts Office supports and contributes to other bodies - Rothe House, Barnstorm, Fás employment and training development and the Watergate Theatre.

Strategic Arts Plan

The development of an Arts Strategy for Kilkenny has been initiated. The Strategy will span the next five year period and is a necessary tool for Kilkenny to develop its vision for the future of the Arts within the City and County. It will provide the framework within which the arts can develop and flourish into our future. In order to devise the Strategy a Committee has been established. This Committee has the ability to reflect the wider arts community, City and County wide. The committee members consist of Mary Butler, Arts Officer, Phil Cullen, Vincent Dempsey, Grace Kearney, Maureen Kennelly, Valerie Mullally and Dorothy O'Reilly. The committee members met regularly to research and formulate the Strategy. The development of the Strategy was regularly brought to the attention of the SPC 5 Committee. The committee will continue to have regular meetings throughout 2004. Consultations will also be undertaken with the general public and arts practitioners within the first half of 2004. Leading to the further development and completion of the Strategy.

This page includes the following sections:

• Library Services
• Arts
• Heritage

LIBRARY SERVICES

Kilkenny County Library Service exists to make a difference. It is active in creating a better place to live, work and learn. Services and collections are developed to reflect Community needs.

Service Points

• Callan Castlecomer City Library
• John's Quay
• Library Headquarters and Local Studies
• Graiguenamanagh
• Loughboy
• Mobile Service
• Schools Service
• Thomastown
• Urlingford

Library Stock

Kilkenny County Library Service continues to evolve from traditional book lending to providing access to a world of information and lifelong learning in a multitude of formats, to people from all walks of life.

2007 saw an increased annual book fund of €235,000 for the users of our services. Apart from traditional books, we also offer users: newspapers, magazines, CD's, Cassettes, DVD's, Audio Books, Large print books and language courses in book and CD-ROM format.

Kilkenny City Library supports social inclusion by offering its multicultural users: language courses, international magazines and a dedicated world book collection, which consists of books in languages such as Polish, Russian, French, Lithuanian, Latvian, and Czech.

Service Developments

During 2007 opening hours at the City Library, John's Quay were increased to a total of 37 hours, including lunchtime opening and teatime opening on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Callan Library and Thomastown Library increased their opening hours from 12 and 16 to 23 and 25 hours respectively.

The Schools' Library Service was enhanced by the provision of a new accessible van, which visits all Primary Schools in the County, 3 times per year. Advanced PC Reliance - an offline laptop based Library system- was introduced on this service and teachers can now access their class accounts online via www.kilkennylibrary.ie

As part of the Library Services continuing development of online services, an Irish version of the Library Catalogue was also initiated in late 2007 at www.kilkennylibrary.ie

The Irish Times Digital Archive Service was launched by the Minster for Environment, Heritage and Local Government in October. Access is available free of charge to library users in all branches of Kikenny Library Service and in Kilkenny Local Studies Department via www.askaboutireland.ie . It provides a fully searchable exact reproduction of all issues of the Irish Times from 1859 onwards.

There are plans to provide access to Griffith Valuation online for the whole of Ireland and to Griffith Valuation Maps online through www.askaboutireland.ie in 2008 .

An enhanced version of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland Historic Map viewer Service was made available through library service points, including Lewis Topographical Dictionary and locations of genealogical and environmental data at www.irishhistoricmaps.ie

Thanks to recent initiatives in Bibliographic Services, Kilkenny County Library borrowers now have access to items not held by Kilkenny County Library and the holdings of all public libraries in Ireland. This inter-lending service is free to all registered library borrowers, through any PC with Internet access either at home or in any of our branches at www.borrowbooks.ie

The Library service has been an active participant in this scheme since its inception. In 2007 we borrowed 241 non-fiction items, 66 fiction and 7 non-book that had been requested by our borrowers from other libraries. In addition we lent 233 non-fiction books, 119 fiction and 16 non-book items to borrowers in other libraries in the Republic.

Access for All

The Library continues to address areas of service provision, removing barriers to service uptake and creating welcoming and accessible environments supported by appropriate services and formats.

In compliance with the Disability Act 2005 and Kilkenny County Council's Access programme, all 7 service points have now been audited re-accessibility. Funding received under the Disability Strategy Funding was invested in:

• Loughboy Library - New flooring with colour contrasting under accessibility guidelines.
• Improved lighting throughout the building.
• Ramp and handrail ordered.
• Accessible front door installed.

City Library

• Accessible shelving for children's section.
• Ramp tendered and builder chosen.
• Induction loop systems installed in all 7 service points.
• Investment in alternative formats - including audiobooks and large print- to develop a more accessible stock for the community.
• Staff handbook re-guidelines for dealing with people with disabilities completed by library staff adopted and issued to all council staff.

The Library Service were involved in the publications "A Newcomer's Guide to Kilkenny" and "A Newcomer's Guide to the South East". It is a lead agency in Kilkenny County Play Policy 2007-20012 and implementation plan. During 2008 the Library Service will begin a consultation process as part of the creation of a new 5 year Library Development Plan, which will inform future service development and delivery.

Local Studies

The Library Service continued to expand and diversify the range of services that we offer to the pubic in 2007. We have 319 registered members in local studies and 2,787 items were consulted.

The library continued to expand its outreach activities to new and existing members by hosting familiarisation evenings aimed at mature students, in our Local Studies Department and in the Maynooth Outreach Campus at St. Kieran's College.

To mark National Heritage Week, the Library mounted an exhibition of old photographs from the Graiguenamanagh area in the main City Library. A selection of these images is also available online at www.kilkennylibrary.ie

Castlecomer Library also hosted an exhibition of old photographs and images from the Castlecomer area. Local studies also offered an opportunity for families to come in and begin the process of researching their family-trees with help from staff.

The section has continued its ongoing indexing of local and historical journals. These will provide in-depth access to articles contained therein. It is hoped to largely complete this process in 2008.

The Library seeks to collect and acquire all items - irrespective of format - of Kilkenny interest. These include local and regional newspapers on microfilm and various genealogical aids both in book and electronic forms. Books still remain the backbone of our collection. An interesting title acquired this year was the Catalogue of the contents of Kilkenny castle sold at auction on 18th November, 1935.

Micheal O Muircheartaigh launched the Irish Life and Lore Series: Kilkenny Collection in 2007. This collection of 51 oral history recordings compiled by Maurice O'Keeffe and funded by Kilkenny County Library and Kilkenny Heritage Officer, was an opportunity to collect and preserve for posterity, stories of the people of Kilkenny. This collection is now a permanent archive and also a resource for future study for all, and is available in the City Library, John's Quay for borrowing, and in our Local Studies Dept., 6 Rose Inn Street for reference. A further collection of recordings is planned in 2008 with the emphasis on Kilkenny women.

At the launch of Irish Life and Lore series: Kilkenny Collection. Left to right, Library staff: Alicia Dunphy, Brenda Ward, Kay Cody,
Micheál O Muircheartaigh (Guest Speaker), Jim Fogarty (Co. Librarian), Dorothy O'Reilly,
Ellen O'Shea and Aisling Kelly

Highlights of our 2007 Programme

Kilkenny County Library Service was active in National and Local Library promotions and events during the year. There was a wide ranging programme between all branches.

The City Library

March as part of Readiscover/Library Ireland Week saw a photographic exhibition entitled "Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader" at the City Library. Readers from all walks of life were photographed with their favourite book - staff, borrowers, local business people, local celebrities, sports stars, etc. There was also a very successful coffee morning for Daffodil Day. In July there was a Poetry session by Anne Murphy - Kilkenny's answer to Pam Ayers and Animal Magic for children. During the Children's Book Festival in October there was a multimedia mask making workshop for Children and a multicultural storytelling session. Throughout the year there was an ongoing programme of Art and Craft exhibitions and a series of regular class visits by local primary schools. An information evening for ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) students was held in the City Library in December, in partnership with Word Aid. Over 20 students attended this introduction to their local library and the services it has to offer. It is hoped to hold more of these evenings in 2008.

Loughboy Library

Loughboy's Book Club "Riveting Reads" celebrated their second year, with an increase in new members, male and female. In March staff hosted a Daffodil Coffee Morning and in May for the "Bealtaine Festival" they had a full and varied programme of events including an Alzheimer's tea morning, a talk on entitlements, making a will, flower arranging, gardening and "Go for Life" activity for the older person. During Positive Ageing Week in October there was an exhibition of arts and crafts from members of KARA (Kilkenny Active Retirement Association) and poetry reading with Ann Murphy (Local Poet). There also was a visit from best selling Irish author Sheila O'Flanagan.

A Children's book club - which meets fortnightly - was introduced in February 2007, and now boasts 10 very enthusiastic members. During March for the launch of World Book Day there were over 15 class visits from all the local primary schools. There was a number of a number of free workshops during the year including "Every face tells a story", art class, Halloween crafts, Wildlife ranger, multicultural traditional stories and folklore, animal magic, puppet making and weaving.

Exhibitions and displays included "New Year's Resolutions", Valentine's Day - incorporating a romantic slogan competition, Fair Trade Display, Up Up and Away travel display etc. 'Through Girl's Eyes' was a Trocaire funded Photographic Exhibition showing how difficult life is living in a slum community in Delhi for young girls who have no opportunity to attend school. The exhibition culminated with a day long traditional Indian puppet show and an art activity workshop organised with local schools as part of our continued outreach programme.

Castlecomer Library

Some of the 2007 offerings at Castlecomer Library included: Relaxation classes, Pilates classes and Kindermusic classes for young children. A new Writers Group was launched in June, and the group produced a Play entitled "Clerical, Errors". Dublin author Neville Thompson facilitated. Author Zoltan Zinn Collis met with many groups when he recalled his life and times since he survived the horrors of Auchwitz. The local Afterschools club participated in a 10 week programme devised by staff. For the Bealtaine Festival, 5 local Primary Schools produced 100 photo essays entitled "Memories are made of this". These were copied to CD-ROM and returned to the schools. A most popular event was the display of medals and memorabilia from the Special Olympics in Shanghai.

Kilkenny Hurler Michael Kavanagh and local medalists Fergal Bolger, Jane Saunders and Joe Walsh

Urlingford Library

In Urlingford Library, a Saturday morning Art Class was run for children and an After Schools group - 4 days a week - catering for 10 children. In November the first meeting of their Reading group took place with 20 attending. This has proved to be a very popular venture. Authors Claire Dowling who hails from nearby Johnstown, and children's author Vincent McDonnell visited during the year.

Perhaps the big event of the year for many young Soccer fans was a tribute to Shane Long in June 2007. Shane plays for Reading FC and Ireland. He is a local lad who borrowed many a book from the Library before his career took off!

Left to right: Library Staff: Mary Morrissey, Kay O'Dywer (Bank of Ireland), Annette Purcell,
Shane Long (Guest), Helen Muldowney and Eddie Mullally

Graiguenamanagh Library

Graiguenamananagh Library was a venue for a variety of activities and organisations throughout the year. Graiguenamanagh Historical Society held a series of talks by guest speakers. Graiguenamangh Book Club 'The Novel Chicks' was set up by Library staff. It now has 14 members and meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month. A one day conference, part of the Ireland Newfoundland Festival of the Sea, was held in the library on June 29th. With participants from Newfoundland and the South East of Ireland. There was music in the Library during the Duiske Concert held on June 30th and a Feile Freaney concert held in the library September 29th. For the Town of Books weekend, the library hosted a meet and greet authors session. While there was also storytelling and musical entertainment for children during Kilkenny Arts Festival with Cath Arran. During the Readers and Writers weekend in Graiguenamanagh children's authors Vincent McDonnell and Don Conroy visited.

Don Conroy and Shane Byrne

Thomastown Library

The Children's Book Club for 5th and 6th class pupils met on a regular basis through the year. Joe Doyle, local historian, gave a talk in the library in August. He spoke about the Heritage and History of Thomastown. In July poetry lovers were delighted when Kilkenny based writer, Anne Murphy, gave a reading from her newly published work "Thinking Allowed". For children, the visiting Animal Magic Show introduced a python, a boa constrictor and a lizard among other exotic creatures to customers. Other personalities to visit were children's author Oisin McGann, poet Brian Moses, wildlife ranger Lorcan Scott and storyteller/musician Toby Kinsella.

Callan Library

Storytime for local crèches took place on a regular basis throughout the year. In collaboration with Colaiste Eaman Ris, the library organized a visit to the school by adult and children's author Re O'Laighleis in October. While a new Children's Book Club was launched during Readiscover your Library week.

'Hang out and read':

Washing lines of gaily coloured paper t-shirts and dresses adorned our libraries during the summer months, as part of the Summer reading scheme for children entitled 'Hang Out and Read'. Each child had to colour in a t-shirt or dress for each book read. The scheme was a great success. 550 reading cards were given out throughout the County.

Statistics: 2007 :

• 21,733 library members
• 321,975 Items loaned
• 31,364 Internet Sessions
• 17,860 website visits

ARTS SECTION

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 the Upstairs Gallery in Watergate Theatre and No. 72, John Street. 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.

The Arts Office hosted 14 exhibitions across four venues in 2007. Exhibitions include group shows and individual artists both established and those early in their careers. Artists included - Brid Moynihan, an Leabhar Mor, Coilin Rush, a group show of Female Illustrators including Annie West, Grainne Finn, Anna Turpin, Karen Nolan, Jolien Hampson, Evanna O' Boyle, Siobhan Gately, Una Gildea and Orla Roche, Caroline Byrne, Joyce Little, Tracy Sweeney, Patrick Horan and local Kilkenny group KK2000. Over the duration of the Kilkenny Arts Festival the Arts Office hosted exhibitions by recent graduates Lena Bolger, Sheena Kelly and Amanda O'Dwyer in the Watergate. Also the exhibition OLMO/ LEAMHÁN/ ELM, took place at no. 72 John Street, artists Saturio Alonso, Alan Counihan and Derek Whitticase, three sculptors from Spain, Ireland and England used the near disappearance of a tree species as an opportunity to engage in a reflection about death, space, myth, topography and ecology in an exhibition originally staged in Spain. Jason Oddy exhibited a series of Photographs at the new Livestock Mart in Cillin Hill and Niamh McCann was commissioned to produce a piece for Re-Produced. Finally approximately 8,500 magnificent postcards filled the walls of No. 72 for POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE 2 exhibition. These art works arrived from all over Kilkenny City and County but also from as far a field as England, Scotland, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Malaysia, Germany and Australia. Children as young as two and three created work along side a number of professional artists, photographers craftspeople etc.

Poem by Ciodhna Murphy

Residencies

Two visual artist's residencies focusing on painting and installation with artists Stephane Kiszak and Hugh McCarthy were undertaken in 2007. Artist's residencies are extremely important as they tend to have a lasting impact on the artists ranging from substantial shifts in their work and or in the direction of their practice. Overall they also offer artists that much needed period of contemplation and reassessment. Stephane's intention was to create a series of paintings developing a new technique of his incorporating collage, computer manipulation and paint on canvas. In his work Hugh McCarthy combined elements of popular culture and abstraction to create art that not only investigates the studio practice but also simultaneously explored personal and universal issues in contemporary society.

Literature

Notable literature events have once again taken place through the Arts Office in 2007. The Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet involving professional editors in selecting poems from writers within the city and county is a very popular publication. 2007 saw issue seven appear on the shelves. The poetry Broadsheet provides the opportunity for writers to engage in a selection process in order to get their work published. This publication is extremely popular, gratifying and encouraging for many local writers and readers alike. The third edition of Rhyme Rag, a poetry publication specifically for young people aged between 12 and 21 years, was published in November. All expectations were exceeded when 264 poems were submitted by 161 writers making the editor John W. Sexton's decision a good read but a difficult choice. Taking the form of a comic book, once again illustrator Ale Mercado successful balances literal interpretation of words and the intervention of the illustrator. Rhyme Rag continues to grow annually in popularity with young people and adults alike and is, like the broadsheet, extremely gratifying and encouraging for young talent within the County.

Music

The Arts Office supported a number of concerts over the year around the County. These include classical and traditional concerts at the 13th century Duiske Abbey, the 2007 Duiske concerts series, the Elizabeth Maconchy Project at the Parade Tower Kilkenny Castle and support was also provided to Music in Kilkenny staging events in Castalia Hall in Ballytobin, Callan.

Camerata Ireland, the island of Ireland chamber orchestra, undertook a Residency in April and May 2007 which included visits to 7 Kilkenny schools for 9 schools workshops, 1 open rehearsal and 3 coaching sessions for young instrumentalists as well as giving two public concerts. The Residency co-ordinated by Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland, bears out our commitment to provide musical educational development and create partnerships both in the region and nationally. The Residency, in collaboration with Camerata Ireland, aimed to create access for new audiences to, and appreciation for, classical music. The Residency was also part of conductor Barry Douglas commitment to fostering the talents of young players and encouraging greater participation in classical music throughout the island of Ireland. This Residency supported the orchestra's own annual Clandeboye Festival in August in Co Down, which holds a series of masterclasses for young players from north and south to select an overall winner who is given performance opportunities with the orchestra over the following year.

Multi-Disciplanary Events

Re-produced was an expansion of Re-production held as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2006. Our focus for Re-Produced events is to present wild alternative experiences of untamed, bizarre and curious art. We aim to introduce audiences to new concepts by providing exposure to and involvement in creative interactions.

For 2007 the focus of Re-Produced was on the concept of de-construction and intervention utilising performance and visual art in non- permanent spaces with multi disciplinary events which proved once again extremely popular. A focussed day of events included performances, installations, films, dancers, DJs and visual arts by leading national and internationally based artists. Belgian artist Gwendoline Robin used explosives strapped to her body to create stunning visual effects and tension. U.K. based photographer Jason Oddy photographed the existing Mart site and presented his visual imagery on site post demolition. Canadian artist Alexis O'Hara performed her eclectic mix of spoken word and music. Nicky Gogan, Director of Darklight film festival was commissioned to programme a film series on site. Irish artist Niamh McCann was also commisioned to respond visually to the site. U.K. based talking birds returned with the whale, an on site whale installation hosting three minute performances for an audience of 1. Also presented was live music with Dublin musician Cathy Davey, aswll as v.j's and d.j's late into the evening.

May 2007 saw an extraordinary and moving event set in the empty pens and auction rooms of Kilkenny's Livestock Mart. The Last Lot was a series of performances which gave the people of Kilkenny one last look at a significant and much loved landmark before the site is totally transformed. It was a collaboration between UK based Talking Birds, Kilkenny County Councils Arts Office, and various artists and arts groups in the Kilkenny city and county. Performances drew on some of the important stories in the mart's history giving audiences a stunning and unexpected theatrical experience, a celebration, and a chance to say goodbye. We had a number of wonderful responses, such as:

"That was so well done yesterday! I really and truly enjoyed the whole thing. I'm only sorry that more people couldn't have had the experience."

"Congratulations!! I thought it was excellent... really enjoyed wandering around listening to the stories... the choir at the end were wonderful too".

"The Last Lot, was such a fantastic production and a perfect tribute to the closure of the mart... A true community event and must have been a major undertaking. So a big THANK YOU."

Community Childcare Residency

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office believes that access and engagement in the arts both as participants and consumers is hugely beneficial to adults and children alike. The experience of participating in high quality professionally run workshops should be part of all children's education. Therefore in 2007 the Arts Office ran a Community Childcare Residency. Approximately eighteen women from city and county childcare groups completed a week of training in music, visual arts, story telling and drama, providing training, a platform for discussion in addressing the needs of crèches as well as the opportunity to meet and network with other childcare providers. Overall the training has been mutually beneficial to the artists, the workers, the children and the Arts Office and it has further enhanced relationships between all involved.

MOOT

Working in partnership, Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and the Butler Gallery Kilkenny, hosted the fifth in the series of MOOT discussions, debates and seminars. MOOT is a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters. MOOT V was the first in a four part series that will investigate the role of artists in engaging communities and raising awareness of environmental issues. An open format event, artists, environmentalists and the general public were invited to question how arts and culture can contribute to addressing environmental concerns and promote change to more sustainable ways of living.

FACT

Another partnership, Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, and the Crafts Council of Ireland developed FACT - a program for designer makers and fine artists working in post primary level schools. This project facilitates the sharing of skills between visual artists and designer, encouraging a cross-pollination of skills between practitioners, while also serving to align fine art and craft practices and promotes the visual arts, craft and design as a realistic career option to students. Finally it improves visual literacy in schools and is mutually beneficial for the artists, students, teachers and all partners.

Kilkenny Film Club

The Kilkenny Film Club was initiated in 2007 and has been hugely successful to date. It showed its first film in September 2007 to an audience of 140 with a further three films shown in October, November and December. There is a very obvious hunger for alternative cinema in Kilkenny and in order to meet the needs of our audience Kilkenny Film Club will continue to show films on a monthly basis in the coming year.

Grants, Awards & Busaries

Various groups and projects secured funding through the Arts Office in 2007. These include the Arts Act Grant, Facilitation Award, Drama League of Ireland Bursary, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary and Dingle Writing Bursary. New to 2007 was the Drama League of Ireland Bursary. The aim of the Bursary is to promote and foster all aspects of amateur drama in Kilkenny, both acting and emerging amateur drama practitioners.

Artlinks

2007 saw the consolidation of almost two years of research and development in the professional development needs of artists brought to fruition, with the official commencement of Artlinks.

Based on a partnership between the County Council Arts Departments of Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford, and supported by the Arts Council, ArtLinks delivered an exciting range of new initiatives for creative practitioners in these five counties in the South East region.  Key achievements include:

• Appointment of a Full Time Director.
• Roll out of seventeen courses, offering a broad range of topics to cover both the business and practice of being a creative practitioner.
• Initiation of inaugural €40,000 Bursary Award Scheme.
• Development of the impressive Artlinks website - www.artlinks.ie acting as an effective information resource for the arts in the five county region.

Artlinks was officially launched in spectacular style at the Parade Tower, Kilkenny during November 2007 by Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Professor of Music, University of Limerick.

HERITAGE:

County Kilkenny Heritage Office

The role of the Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office is to provide advice and information on heritage issues and to develop policies and priorities for the identification, protection, conservation and enhancement of Kilkenny's heritage. A key objective is to work with the Kilkenny Heritage Forum in the preparation and implementation of a County Heritage Plan. In addition, the office promotes heritage awareness & education throughout the county.

Below is an overview of some of the works undertaken by the Heritage Office in 2007:

Heritage Plan & Heritage Forum

• Implemented the following projects from the Kilkenny Heritage Plan (Draft).
• Heritage Appraisal of the Draft County Development Plan 2008 - 2014.
• Market Research report on Heritage Awareness and Attitudes in County Kilkenny.
• Report on the Geological Heritage of County Kilkenny, in association with the Geological Survey of Ireland.
• Village Design Statements for Tullaroan, and Newmarket/Hugginstown.
• Co-ordinated 3 Heritage Forum meetings.

Raising Awareness about Heritage

• Co-ordinated and promoted National Heritage Week activities throughout the county.
• Promotion of Heritage Council "Heritage in Schools" Programme.
• Oversaw the appointment of a part-time Field Monument Advisor, with part funding from the Heritage Council.

Heritage Training

• Co-ordinated "Historic Graveyard Management Training Seminar" for community groups, graveyard committees, local authorities and statutory agencies.

Collection of Heritage Data

• Commissioned and launched the Life & Lore Series: Kilkenny Oral History Project I, in partnership with Kilkenny County Council Libraries section.
• Commissioned a study to identify themes, storylines an collections for a proposed museum.

Heritage Policy

Input on heritage aspects and heritage policy in Draft County Development Plan 2008 - 2014 Input on heritage aspects of Local Area Plans Prepared heritage submission on the new LEADER plan, in partnership with the Kildare Heritage Officer, BNS LEADER and KELT LEADER Reported to Strategic Policy Committee 5 (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Education) regarding heritage projects and programme Physical Heritage Management Projects.

• Undertook surveying, conservation and repair works to Kilkenny City Walls (Talbot's Tower, Black Friars Arch, Rothe House City Wall) in partnership with the Engineering section of Kilkenny Borough Council, and with financial support from the Irish Walled Towns Network.
• Chaired the garden restoration steering committee that oversaw the restoration of the Rothe House 17th Century Garden.
• Co-ordinated the Kilkenny County Council Historic Graveyard Grants Scheme, in partnership with Environment Section.

Promoting Best Practise in Heritage Management.

• On-going implementation of "St. Mary's Church and Graveyard Conservation Plan", in partnership with the Church of Ireland and the Heritage Council.
• On-going implementation of "Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan".
• On-going implementation of Rothe House Conservation Plan.

Library Services

Kilkenny County Library continues to provide a library service through 8 libraries / branch libraries.

2011 initiatives included;

• The New Mobile Library was launched through outside broadcasts on KCLR96fm at Piltown, Dunnamagin, Mooncoin and Ferrybank. This service visits over 60 stops countywide. Mobile library members, community, cultural, and sport organisations, individuals and local children were interviewed at these Mobile library stops.

• New State-Of-The Art Library for Ferrybank and South Kilkenny. A grant of €780,000 was received from the Department of the Environment during the year towards the cost of this facility. Opening in 2012 this new branch library is on the ground floor of Ferrybank Shopping Centre. Accommodation of 312sq metres will include: Children's Services, Teen Zone and Adult Services; IT/Study Area with 8 Public Access Pc’s and 8 Study spaces; a multi-purpose Community Space; use of RFID, Self-service and WiFI technology; and a disability friendly environment with hearing induction loop system.

• Numerous events were held through the Reader Development programme:

Library Usage 2011

The role of the library as a community resource is demonstrated by the range of ongoing events/services across branches including archive, visiting authors, storytelling, book clubs, community outreach & inclusion events, book launches & poetry readings, parent & toddler groups, local studies & workshops and computer courses and by the large number of visits from the public.

• 241,135 visits to Library Branches
• 262,233 books borrowed and 29,885 non-book items, CD's, DVD's, language courses, talking books and magazines etc.
• 29,552 Internet Sessions were undertaken

262,233 books issued in 2011 with 241, 135 visits to the library services.

Arts

The Arts Office works to develop, co-ordinate, motivate, inspire and empower artistic activity throughout the city and county. It promotes the arts as a worthwhile activity for all, providing advice and support for groups and for individuals.

Both Authorities work to further strengthen Kilkenny's position as a centre of excellence for the arts and ensure a successful and prosperous arts environment within the region by focussing on the development of the practitioner and their work; engaging and employing artists and support staff in projects, by offering professional and practice development initiatives across all art forms, through audience development, community and education and by building capacity.

The Arts Office continues to collaborate and partner with a number of other agencies in order to deliver our initiatives as we recognise this as key to maintaining and developing activity.

A total of 10,000 people engaged or participated in Arts office supported programmes in 2011.

Projects Undertaken In 2011 ;

• 5 To 6 Womens Project - provides space for women to participate in life-long learning and increase skills, knowledge and understanding of the arts. The Project has worked with over 100 women since its inception with 39 involved in the 2011 programme.

• National Drawing Day - took place at the Parade Tower and the grounds of Kilkenny Castle on Saturday 28th May. A total of 389 people across all age groups participated on the day.

• Community Project 'Three Bags Full' created opportunities for 13 women to engage in creative and cultural activities that involved them in an exhibition at the International Sheep Shearing Championships held in Kilkenny. A total of 83 engaged as audience and participants.

• Siamsa - This fun child centred programme supports the children in developing a variety of skills including drawing, painting and making in a diverse range of media.

• Culture Night saw a number of cultural organisations in Kilkenny City and County present numerous free events and activities to suit all age groups and interests. A total of 1,640 engaged as audience and participants.

• Music - The Arts Office supports bodies including the Duiske Concert Series and the Kilkenny Arts Festival New Band Initiative in bringing the arts to new audiences and into local communities. A total of 1,200 engaged as audiences in these two music events.

• Literature - 8 writers participated on the Arts Office and Libraries Writers Mentoring Scheme. The 11th issue of the Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet was published. Kilkenny County Council Arts Office & Library Service continued to host their 2011 Free Writers' Workshops programme with a total of 77 writers engaged overall.

• Moot - MOOT VII 'Inno-vision' Art, Creativity, Education and Innovation was the first event dealing with how the arts, creativity and education link to innovation and the business sector. A total of 74 engaged as audience and speakers.

• Blackstack Studio - The New Fine Art Print Studio was launched. 151 people participated in workshops and exhibition.

• Financial assistance was provided towards the development of the Arts. These included Arts Office Bursaries, Tyrone Guthrie Bursary, Irish Youth Choir Summer Programme Bursary and School Subsidies with a total of 32 individuals and schools funded.

• Artists Residency Programme under a new model Shared studios and workshop space at no.76 John Street. It consisted of four artists working on site part-time. A total of 390 engaged as audience and participants.

• Devious Theatre undertook a successful 6 month residency. A total of 1,980 engaged as audience and participants in a 6 month period.

• Exhibition Programme at no.76 and the Upstairs Gallery, Watergate Theatre, present a diverse range of contemporary exhibitions which have drawn in an audience of 3,718.

• Artlinks offers a quality and accessible Arts Professional Development programme for practitioners across disciplines. Through ArtLinks, 5 bursaries to Kilkenny practitioners of €1,000 each were awarded to 4 musicians and 1 visual artist.

• The Kilkenny's Writers' Weekend as an initiative was developed to support the area of literature with a total of 151 participating in arranged workshops and readings.

Three Bags Full Arts Participation Programme-INTERREG-Ireland Wales Age Friendly Communities Project

that engaged 83 people as audience and participants.

Heritage

The role of the Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office is to provide advice and information on heritage issues; collect and collate data; and to develop policies and priorities for the identification, protection, conservation and enhancement of Kilkenny's heritage. A key objective is to work with the Kilkenny Heritage Forum in the preparation and implementation of the County Heritage Plan and the County Biodiversity Plan. In addition, the office promotes heritage awareness & education throughout the county.
 

Heritage Plan & Heritage Forum

• Commenced Phase 2 of the River Nore Heritage audit (Kilkenny City to Inistioge).
• Printed and distributed posters of Phase 1 of the River Nore Heritage Audit (Ballynaslee to Kilkenny City) to schools and the public.
• Design & installation of signage at the Ice House, Woodstock, Inistioge to highlight the importance of the site as a bat roost, and also its architectural significance.
• Co-ordinated Kilkenny Heritage Forum meetings.

Raising Awareness

• Co-ordinated and publicised all heritage week events in the county including the production of newspaper and radio adverts, and production of 5000 copies of a colour brochure listing all events, and distribution of this brochure around the county.
• Organised and funded free workshops for the public on the following, as part of heritage week: "How to get started on an oral history projects", kids archaeology workshop, kids biodiversity workshops.
• Funded biodiversity & archaeology workshops, in partnership with Kilkenny County Childcare Committee, for early school practitioners.

Collection of Heritage Data

• Compiled database of all known oral history projects undertaken in Kilkenny and submitted to the Oral History Network of Ireland.
• Provided training for 3 community groups (Gathabawn, Lisdowney & Ennisnag) in graveyard recording, in partnership with CKLP, as part of www.historicgraves.ie project.

Heritage Advice

• Provided heritage advice on planning applications, to Kilkenny County & Borough Councils.
• Responded to heritage queries from the general public, elected representatives, local authority staff.
• Compiled and distributed a booklet on all grants available to community groups and individuals in the county for heritage, environmental and community grants.
• Represented Kilkenny County on Rothe House Trust, in the implementation of the Rothe House Conservation Plan.
• Provided heritage support to the Kilkenny City Walls Steering Committee.

City Walls (Talbot Tower)

The recent unveiling of the current phase of conservation and restoration works to Talbot Tower,

by Minister Deenihan in 2011 was the result of successful collaboration between

Kilkenny Borough Council and the various State agencies.