Here are some examples of Creative Ireland funded projects that were delivered in County Roscommon in 2025
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The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Roscommon has always been a county where creativity thrives, and this year’s Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival brought that spirit to life in spectacular fashion with The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark – a magical community opera that captured hearts and imaginations.
Based on Jill Tomlinson’s beloved children’s story, this enchanting production invited audiences into the world of Plop, a little barn owl with a big fear of the dark. Through music and storytelling, Plop’s journey became a celebration of courage, curiosity, and community.
A Community Effort Like No Other
This wasn’t just an opera – it was a creative collaboration that united professional artists and local talent under one Big Top tent in the heart of Ballaghaderreen. Over 30 local children rehearsed for months alongside professional singers, a conductor, and seven accomplished musicians, culminating in two sold-out performances on August 2nd and 3rd, 2025. Each show welcomed 140 enthusiastic audience members, proving that opera can be accessible, inclusive, and deeply engaging.
The cast featured exceptional voices, including Matt Mannion (Father Owl), Catherine Donnelly (Mother Owl), and Sarah Luttrell (Orion the Cat), supported by a stellar string ensemble. Together, they created an unforgettable experience that blended world-class artistry with community spirit.
Why This Project Matters
This opera is a perfect example of how Creative Communities funding empowers projects that align with the Roscommon Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023–2027. The strategy champions:
• Participation and Inclusion – Children and families were at the heart of this project, ensuring creativity was accessible to all.
• Collaboration – Professional artists worked hand-in-hand with local musicians and volunteers, fostering skills and confidence.
• Celebrating Identity and Place – By staging the event in Ballaghaderreen and weaving local involvement into every note, the opera strengthened cultural pride and community bonds.
Looking Ahead
The success of The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark has sparked conversations about future performances in Boyle and Roscommon town, ensuring the creative ripple effect continues across the county.
This project is more than a performance – it’s a testament to what happens when creativity is placed at the heart of public life. It shows that opera, often seen as an elite art form, can become a joyful, inclusive experience that brings people together.
Roscommon County Council, through the Creative Ireland Programme, is proud to support initiatives like this – projects that light up our communities, nurture talent, and make creativity part of everyday life.
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A Night of Culture: The Ballad of Mary Spain at King House
On Friday, September 26th, 2025, the historic King House in Boyle hosted a truly memorable evening celebrating Irish heritage, resilience, and storytelling. Organized by Roscommon Older People’s Council as part of the Creative Ireland Programme, this event brought together music, dance, and narrative in a powerful tribute to the past.
At the heart of the evening was The Ballad of Mary Spain, an award-winning composition by Veronica Barrett, a distinguished member of the Older People’s Council and acclaimed singer-songwriter. The ballad recounts the poignant story of Mary Spain, a young woman who entered the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in 1959—a chapter of Irish history that continues to resonate deeply today. Veronica’s moving performance of the song, accompanied by renowned musician Fiona Sirr, earned a standing ovation from the audience.
The cultural celebration featured the Pipers Cross Céilí Band, All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Champions 2023, alongside a talented Sean Nós dancer, a captivating storyteller, and a Ladies Ballad Group from Castleblakney. Multimedia journalist Sallyanne Barrett served as MC, guiding the audience through an evening rich in tradition and emotion.
Set against the backdrop of King House’s beautifully restored 18th-century Main Salon, the event highlighted Roscommon County Council’s commitment to fostering social participation and cultural engagement among older people, in line with its Age Friendly Strategy. Funded through the Creative Roscommon Grant 2025, this gathering exemplified the enduring power of music and storytelling to connect generations and honour shared history.
Roscommon Older People’s Council extends heartfelt thanks to the Culture Team at Roscommon County Council and looks forward to continuing this collaborative effort to promote age-friendly cultural experiences across the county.
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Art of Belonging – Celebrating Voices from County Roscommon
On Friday, September 19th, 2025, the Trinity Arts Centre in Castlerea came alive with creativity and connection during Art of Belonging, a vibrant exhibition presented as part of Culture Night and the Creative Ireland Programme. This inspiring event celebrated the diverse voices and stories of International Protection Applicants (IPAs) and new community members who now call County Roscommon home.
Curated by lead artist Jinny Ly, a Chinese-Vietnamese-American visual artist based in Dublin, the exhibition was the culmination of two months of creative workshops with participants from Algeria, Vietnam, Eswatini, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ukraine. Through visual art, storytelling, and live cultural performances, the event created a welcoming space for dialogue, understanding, and shared humanity.
Highlights included Anu’s makeup artistry and Blessing’s intricate hair braiding demonstrations, both showcasing beauty as a form of identity and connection. Dorothy from Kenya moved audiences with a heartfelt letter to her daughter, while Khanyisile from Eswatini delivered a powerful poetry reading on resilience and hope. Fairouz from Algeria shared delicate knitted pieces, and Thu from Vietnam presented exquisite paper art bridging cultural traditions. Osasumwen from Nigeria wowed attendees with an upcycled fashion showcase promoting sustainability, while Zinaida from Ukraine displayed reed weaving that echoed Irish craft heritage. The evening also featured a traditional Thiruathira dance performed by Indian artists and live music, adding rhythm and colour to the celebration.
Supported by Roscommon County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme and Local Authority Integration Team, Art of Belonging reinforced the role of creativity in fostering inclusion and social cohesion. It offered participants a platform to express identity and belonging while strengthening intercultural dialogue within the community.
This event stands as a testament to the power of art to unite people, celebrate diversity, and build a sense of home in Roscommon.
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Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed – Lough Gara Past and Present
As part of the 2025 Creative Ireland Programme, Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed delivered an inspiring heritage and craft project titled Lough Gara Past and Present. Supported through the Creative Roscommon Grants Scheme, the initiative took place across weekends in May and brought together members of the Shed and the wider community for a series of hands-on workshops celebrating traditional skills and local history.
The project explored ancient crafts connected to the Lough Gara region, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with Ireland’s rich cultural heritage. Highlights included natural clay workshops led by artist Nollaig Molloy, where attendees learned traditional techniques for shaping and working with clay. Blacksmith Patrick Strahan introduced the art of forging through his “9 Irons” workshop, giving participants a rare insight into this age-old craft. Conor O’Connell captivated audiences with a bronze sword casting demonstration at Lough Gara, evoking the craftsmanship of Ireland’s prehistoric past. Basket weaver Joe Geever guided participants in building a crannóg model, connecting modern makers with the engineering ingenuity of ancient lake dwellers.
The project was met with enthusiastic participation and strong community engagement, reflecting the Men’s Shed ethos of creativity, learning, and social connection. By reviving traditional skills and fostering intergenerational dialogue, Lough Gara Past and Present not only celebrated heritage but also strengthened community bonds.
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Mandala Meditation Workshops – Creative Connections in Boyle
As part of the 2025 Creative Ireland Programme, two transformative Mandala Meditation workshops took place in Boyle, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore creativity, mindfulness, and community connection. Facilitated by Amanda Conway, the only accredited Mandala Training provider in the world, these workshops introduced an ancient technique that works from the centre outward, symbolizing personal growth and collective harmony.
Supported by a Creative Roscommon grant and co-funded by SICAP through Roscommon LEADER Partnership, the workshops were held at Riverside Yoga Studio and attracted 19 participants from diverse backgrounds, including carers, people with disabilities, and those experiencing unemployment. Using natural materials such as shells, leaves, petals, chestnuts, and beans, participants co-created intricate mandalas while setting personal intentions for the experience. The process encouraged deep reflection, collaboration, and emotional release, with many reporting profound insights.
Feedback highlighted the workshops’ impact on self-awareness, communication, and teamwork. Participants described the experience as “healing,” “uplifting,” and “more than expected,” noting benefits such as improved leadership skills, stress relief, and enhanced creativity. One attendee remarked, “It was fascinating to witness others’ journeys and learn how to work together in harmony.” The sessions also incorporated gentle physical movement, adding a holistic dimension to the creative process.
The success of the initiative extended beyond the workshops themselves—three participants have since completed Mandala Art Therapy training to bring this practice back to their own communities, ensuring a lasting legacy of creativity and well-being.
By blending art, meditation, and social engagement, the Mandala Meditation project exemplifies the Creative Ireland Programme’s mission to foster cultural participation and personal growth. It stands as a testament to the power of creativity to connect people, nurture resilience, and inspire positive change in County Roscommon.
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Rosorcas Festival of Circus Arts – Creativity Takes Centre Stage in Granlahan
From May 22nd to 25th, 2025, the Rosorcas Festival of Circus Arts transformed Motion Chapel and Granlahan GAA Pitch into a vibrant hub of creativity, performance, and community spirit. Funded under the Creative Roscommon Open Call, this dynamic event embodied the Creative Ireland Programme’s mission to make creativity accessible and inclusive for all.
The festival opened with a free community day that drew over 250 local attendees and 80 visitors from Ireland’s national circus arts network. Across the weekend, audiences enjoyed a diverse programme of professional performances, including Now and Then—a comedic, all-female aerial show; Stories from the Book of Fire—a spectacular fire performance that lit up the night; and StrongWomen Science—an innovative blend of circus and science designed for primary school children. Additional highlights included the Fire Open Stage, Circus Cabaret, and Red Thread, an intimate juggling performance exploring artistic collaboration.
Accessibility and participation were central to the festival’s ethos. Free workshops invited children to explore circus skills and offered an inclusive juggling session for all ages and abilities, fostering creativity, confidence, and community wellbeing. These interactive experiences reflected the festival’s commitment to Creative Ireland priorities: nurturing creative people, supporting creative places, and promoting sustainable artistic practice.
Rosorcas also served as a platform for cultural exchange and professional development, connecting local residents with national artists and strengthening creative partnerships. By aligning with Bealtaine programming and showcasing innovative art forms in a rural setting, the festival highlighted Roscommon County Council’s dedication to cultural inclusion and lifelong creativity.
With its mix of spectacle, learning, and community engagement, Rosorcas Festival of Circus Arts stands as a shining example of how creativity can unite people, ignite imaginations, and enrich cultural life in County Roscommon.
