Here are some examples of Creative Ireland funded projects that were delivered in County Roscommon in 2023
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Food to Fork Grain Project at Strokestown Park
Volunteers at Strokestown Park House and Gardens too inspiration from conversations based on a book called ‘Dear Housewives’ by Doris Grant (1040s) from the kitchen of Strokestown Park House. They undertook a project that took us through the processes of getting the humble grain from seed to plate using traditional farming and milling methods with careful consideration, respect for the land and a little luck with the weather!!!
You can watch a video documentary of the project here
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Tain March 2023
The Táin Bó Cúailnge or the Cattle Raid of Cooley, is the story of a cattle raid reputed to have taken place during winter sometime about the time of Christ. It is a story of Queen Medb, fearless warriors, kings and prize bulls. The epic story started and finished in Rathcroghan, one of the Royal Sites of Ireland.
The Táin March Festival was established in 2011 as a community walking festival to celebrate and promote the epic tale of Táin Bó Cúailnge. The Táin March Festival 2023 reached Co. Roscommon on Friday 7th & Saturday 8th July with FREE events in Roscommon, Rathcroghan & Tulsk.
Friday 7th July events took place in Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk. From 9.15am until 4.30pm - the ‘Táin March 2023 Drawing Competition’ children’s artwork exhibition. Later that evening, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre opened its doors to hear the stories of Queen Medb, Cúchulainn and An Táin Bó Cuailnge - The Cattle Raid of Cooley- our national epic tale - re-told in all their glory at 7.30pm.
Saturday 8th July events started @ 2pm in the Square, Roscommon Town: Meet the Táin March and Queen Medb’s army with a performance of a new short play based on a story from the Cattle Raid of Cooley. Events continued @ 5pm in Rathcroghan: Meet the Táin March and Queen Medb’s army at Rathcroghan car park, for another short performance based on a story from the Cattle Raid of Cooley epic tale.
The Táin March Festival, including delivery of an annual associated schools programme, is funded by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland Programme 2023, as an action of the Co. Roscommon Heritage Plan. For more information, see https://tainmarch.ie/ or follow #TáinMarch on social media.
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Pull up a Chair and Play-With John Wynne at Roscommon Arts Centre
Multi-instrumentalist John Wynne, led a series of what are known as “Slow Sessions” for musicians starting off or returning to an instrument, for players of any instrument and at any level. A selection of easy and well known session tunes played slowly so that people in the early stages of their playing, or those coming back to playing music, had the opportunity to play together in a friendly, supportive and informal context. More experienced players who wished to refine their techniques and extend their repertoire at a slower pace were also very welcome to “pull up a chair and play”! Set-lists were made available in advance to participants.
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Scrim Sketches-Interactions with Roscommon by Martin Heron
Artist Martin Heron describes how he has evolved his art practice and process by producing a number of temporary artworks using scrim / drywall tape at various locations around Roscommon, focusing mainly on Boyle, which have been documented to produce a photo-book of these artworks.
Martin was a successful applicant under the Creative Roscommon Open Call 2023. He has immersed himself in the surrounds of his new hometown of Boyle and has been inspired to create temporary pieces that both enhance and compliment the environment in which they are placed.
Exploring locations before finding the most appropriate place to attempt a piece, Martin was keen that some Roscommon sites would have, where possible, a recognisable landmark that the scrim sketch could contrast with in the final photograph. The Boyle River Bridge, The Archway at Bawn Cootehall, Roscommon Castle and Elphin Windmill all became the backdrop to some of Martin’s art installations. Highlighting them in a new, fun and exciting way.
Given the public nature of the work it led to interactions with local people and visitors from other parts of Ireland and abroad. Passersby would often stop to ask what he was doing and spend some time talking both about the project, the material and how unusual it is to see artists out working directly on the street.
Nature, literature and stories of the areas also began to influence Martin’s work and he intends on exploring that further, potentially adding a new dimension to the scrim sketches.
Community workshop sessions were offered as part of Cruinniú na nÓg and Culture Night and were held at King House, Boyle and John McGahern Barracks, Cootehall where participants got to create their own scrim sketches.
A huge contribution to creativity in Roscommon in a very public and engaging way, has been permanently encapsulated in a photo-book.
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Creative Heartlands Film Bursary
The Creative Heartlands Film Bursary is a new award by Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo local authorities under the Creative Ireland Programme 2023. Open to both established and emerging filmmakers and production companies, from or living in the region, to support the progression of an original Poetry into Film project in the region.
In 2023 it was awarded the Roscommon Artist Emma Brennan who created a wonderful piece of film entitled Cradled.
Keep eye out as it may pop up at national and international film festival in the coming months.
