To mark Your Council Day, celebrating the vital work of local government across Ireland, we asked our Engagement Officers about some of their favourite projects, and which creative initiative from their local authority they would love to see expanded beyond their own community.

AINE BUTLER, ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

“A standout project in 2025 was the Rosorcas Festival of Circus Arts, held in Granlahan. This vibrant, multi-day outdoor festival brought together professional circus artists, local residents, and national performers in a celebration of creativity, inclusion, and community spirit. With over 250 attendees on its opening day and a programme that included aerial acrobatics, fire shows, science-themed performances for children, and accessible workshops, Rosorcas exemplified the values of the Creative Ireland Programme. It not only showcased high-quality creative practice but also fostered intergenerational participation and rural cultural development. The festival’s commitment to accessibility—offering free and low-cost events—ensured that creativity was truly for everyone.”

“We would love to see the Living Laneways initiative expanded nationally. This project reimagines underused urban laneways as vibrant cultural corridors, blending public art, performance, and placemaking. It’s a powerful model for revitalising town centres, encouraging footfall, and fostering community pride. With its scalable and adaptable framework, Living Laneways has the potential to transform public spaces across Ireland into dynamic, people-centred creative zones.”

ALICE DIXON, LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL

“One standout project is Farm Walks – Creative Communities on a Shared Island. This initiative brought together farmers, artists, and communities from both sides of the border to explore shared cultural and environmental narratives. It was a beautiful blend of storytelling, landscape, and lived experience highlighting how creativity can foster connection, understanding, and a sense of place. The project exemplified the power of creativity to bridge divides and celebrate common ground.”

“I’d love to see Moving Together II expanded nationally. This inclusive dance project brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities celebrating diversity and the richness it brings to creative expression. At its heart, the initiative is about collaboration and learning from one another through movement. It creates a space where participants can connect, communicate, and co-create, regardless of physical ability or experience. By using dance as a shared language, “Moving Together II” fosters empathy, wellbeing, and a strong sense of community. A national rollout could inspire a more connected, compassionate, and creatively engaged Ireland.”

EVA BIRDTHISTLE, CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

“A favourite project is the Intergenerational Climate Action Workshop hosted by Clare County Council at The Common Knowledge Centre in the Burren. This hands-on event brings together younger and older generations to co-create ideas for more climate and age-friendly towns and villages. Participants engage in practical learning around permaculture, food growing, and foraging, guided by Common Knowledge’s Permaculture Coordinator.

What makes this initiative especially powerful is the collaboration between Clare’s Climate Action and Age Friendly teams, both members of the Culture and Creativity team. By working together, they ensured the workshop is not only educational but also deeply rooted in their respective plans, community values and creative engagement.

The outcomes of the workshop will be used to inform future reviews of both the Clare Climate Action Plan 2024–2029 and the Clare Age Friendly Strategy 2023–2027. It’s a brilliant example of how creative, cross-generational dialogue can shape meaningful policy and ensure that no one is left behind in the climate conversation.”

One initiative I would love to see expanded nationwide is The Bluebird Singers—a group of young people with different abilities who come together to create music, build friendships, and express themselves through song. Their project Home is a beautiful example of how creativity can foster inclusion, confidence, and joy.

The Bluebird Singers demonstrate that creativity is for everyone, and their performances are not only heartwarming but also deeply empowering. By giving these young people, a platform to shine, this initiative breaks down barriers and celebrates diverse voices.

Expanding this model across Ireland could create a network of inclusive music groups, helping more young people experience the transformative power of creativity.

ALISON CLARKE, DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL

“One of my favourite Creative Communities projects is also one of the recent: the development of a documentary following actor Bryan Murray’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2023, despite the challenges of memory loss, Bryan made a return to the stage in An Old Song, Half-Forgotten, a play specially written for him by playwright Deirdre Kinahan. Recognising the profound artistic and human story at the heart of this performance, Dublin City Council committed to supporting a documentary capturing this journey made by Sofft   Productions. The film explores Bryan’s return to theatre, the innovative supports behind the production, and his life beyond the spotlight. It delicately weaves together themes of memory, identity, and the power of art. I’m especially moved by this project because itexemplifies how creativity can be inclusive, deeply human, and responsive.

Gaeilge365 is an example of how creativity can drive systemic change. Piloted as a Creative Communities project in 2023, its aim was to creatively expand opportunities for Irish language use across Dublin City Council’s services. The initiative reimagines how public services can support and promote the everyday use of Irish, making the language more visible and accessible in civic life. Its impact was recognised at the national level in March 2025, when Minister Dara Calleary announced €4.5 million in funding to extend Gaeilge365 across all four Dublin local authorities between 2025 and 2028. This kind of initiative demonstrates the potential of cultural innovation possible by embedding creativity within public policy and service delivery. Gaeilge365 has already created tangible, lasting change in Dublin. Expanding it nationwide would not only support language revitalisation efforts but also show how cultural policy can inspire inclusive and practical transformation across Ireland.”

EMMA CARMODY, KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL

“One of my favourite initiatives is the Wise Wool project, a beautiful initiative that celebrates the rich heritage of wool craft in Kerry while embracing innovation and sustainability. This project brought together local farmers, artists, and craftspeople to explore the creative potential of wool—an often-overlooked natural resource.

Through workshops, storytelling sessions, and hands-on demonstrations, participants learned traditional skills like spinning, felting, and natural dyeing, while also exploring contemporary applications of wool in design and art. What made Wise Wool so special was its ability to connect generations, honour rural traditions, and spark new ideas for sustainable living—all through the lens of creativity.

It’s a perfect example of how Creative Communities projects can weave together culture, environment, and innovation in a way that’s deeply rooted in place.”

“The Musical Instruments Project in Kerry is a brilliant initiative I’d love to see replicated nationwide. It invites the public to donate unused or unwanted musical instruments to local libraries, where they are then available for borrowing—just like books.

This simple yet powerful idea breaks down barriers to music-making, especially for young people and families who may not have access to instruments otherwise. It promotes sustainability, community sharing, and creative exploration.

Imagine every county in Ireland having a musical instrument lending library—unlocking creativity, fostering inclusion, and making music truly accessible to all. It’s a beautiful example of how small local actions can have a big national impact.

In 2025, Creative Ireland Kerry is supporting increased community engagement of the Musical Instruments Project through Creative Community Grant funding. Workshops will be hosted in local libraries where the public are invited to test their musical talent with expert advice and guidance available from professional tutors. The project is delivered in collaboration with Music Generation Kerry, Kerry Libraries, Local Authority Integration Team and the Arts Office and Environment Office of Kerry County Council.”

Check out the full year-round programme of free events on your local Creative Communities area here.