Nuacht
Nuacht | 20 Lúnasa 2025
Developing Our Partnerships
From Tea & Chats to creative workshops with the Hugh Lane Gallery.
New art and sport facilities in Poppintree
Mark Joyce, a visual artist, was based in Poppintree Community Sports Centre, Dublin 11. Following 8 consultation workshops, 35 creative workshops, and meetings with 11 groups, this residency concluded with a launch event of some of the legacy created, including an Art Room and a mural in the sports hall.
Representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Alison Field launched a new astroturf pitch, a new cultural space and a community mural artwork.
The mural celebrates lots of things brought up by local communities in a series of workshops with artist Mark Joyce over a six month period, reflecting what’s important to them and celebrating their local culture and community. The mural depicts the diverse sports that take place in the centre, including badminton, bowls, boxing, soccer, rugby, figure skating and basketball.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Field said ‘’Poppintree Community Sports Centre is a valuable resource for the local community, and these new facilities will greatly enhance the activities offered. Sport and art are both transformative experiences, creating spaces where people connect, grow and relate. The project is an innovative partnership between Dublin City Council’s Sports Section and the Culture Company.’’
Cllr Conor Reddy, in attendance at the launch, noted how the creation of the mural was grounded in listening to communities and its potential to create a positive legacy in the area: “we’re seeing the life of Poppintree reflected in the art that’s now there forever more in the hall in the Centre”.
The event also provided an opportunity to visitors to try out different sports featured in the mural, such as badminton and bowls. Visitors were also welcomed into the new ‘Art Room’ - a creative space that’s still in development but already starting to feel like an important part of the centre. When fully up and running later this year, it will be a place for groups and artists to book, creating a new cultural space in Dublin 11.
Community Celebration in Bluebell
Justine Doswell, a dance and movement artist, was based in Bluebell Recreation Centre, Dublin 12. Following 4 consultation workshops, 110 creative workshops, and meetings with 11 groups, this residency concluded with a Community Celebration Event in July.
The idea for a family-friendly community day emerged from hearing feedback during one of our Tea & Chat sessions at the start of the project. As Justine built up strong relationships with local groups and communities in the area, this seed of an idea developed and it seemed like the perfect way for people who had engaged with the residency to come together.
Participants from a range of different groups Justine had been working with came along on the day, including students from Wayside National School, The Bluebell Sister Shed, Bluebell Youth Service, and members of the Bluebell Community Development Project.
The event featured performances from groups that use the centre, including the Diamond Twirlers majorette group and live music from The Bluebell Brothers. There were also dance workshops with Justine and hip hop dancer Casey Ronan from the Raw Edge Crew. There was even a round of music bingo, with plenty of singalongs and prizes up for grabs. While the music played, people of all ages joined in to dance and clap along. One visitor remarked, “this is what community is all about - getting together, having a laugh and sharing some fun between old people and young people”.
Art and Music in Ballybough
Siobhán O’Callaghan, a visual artist, was based in Ballybough Youth, Community & Fitness Centre, Dublin 3. Following 6 consultation workshops, 50 creative workshops, and meetings with 10 groups, this residency concluded with a celebration of art and music for some of her regular participants.
A regular group of participants at Ballybough Youth, Community & Fitness Centre took part in drop-in art workshops with Siobhan. They came not just to make, but to connect. Over the workshops, participants developed confidence in using paint materials, with some taking canvas work home to keep safe and develop the next time they visit.
The fact that there were two options of workshops each fortnight - lunchtime and evening slots - was beneficial to participants. One of the participants noted that this flexibility is what has helped them to grow into this creative community in Ballybough. They’re a full time carer and being able to adapt their schedule to fit in at least one of the workshops has been a wonderful outlet for them to keep practicing and regularly developing new artwork in a friendly environment.
To celebrate their work, Siobhán hosted a special music and art event for her final creative session of the season. Folk musician Chris Comhaill played live as the group created artwork, chatted over tea, and shared slices of cake. Participants said farewell for now to each other as they admired each other’s artwork. “I always thought of here as just doing sports,” Helen, a regular participant said, “But this has been wonderful, and different. So it’d be great if it continues - hopefully it does!”
Art & Stories in Irishtown
Sharon Kelly, a visual artist, was based in Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre, Dublin 4. Following 6 consultation workshops, 33 creative workshops, and meetings with 9 groups, this residency will conclude in late August with the installation of new artwork in the centre.
Over the summer, Sharon has run two series of workshops for both adults and children, exploring a range of creative techniques including watercolours, charcoal, drawing, and collage. These sessions have not only encouraged artistic expression but also provided a welcome space for parents to slow down and connect with their creativity during the busy summer break.
“There’s such great facilities here,” said Fernanda, one of the workshop participants. “I’d only walked around the park with the little ones before and didn’t even know this was here! There’s so much to do and great facilities for sport.”
Beyond the workshops, Sharon has been speaking to users of the sports centre, and collecting feedback about what sport means to them. Their words will form the basis of a permanent artwork in the workshop studio at the centre.
