Kilkenny Arts Office

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot is seeking proposals from local businesses, community groups, event organisers, collaborators and individuals to develop projects that will support the growth and diversity of the night time economy in Kilkenny City.

This fund will support applicants who wish to pilot new, diverse and innovative concepts after 6pm between Sunday and Thursday which can support the diversification of our night time economy in the city.

Stream D - General: Sporting, Recreational, Youth & Age Friendly groups - Groups in this category who want to trial an event or series of events/cultural activities during off peak times from Sunday to Thursday from 6pm onwards.

16/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our consultation stall on The Parade today, shared their thoughts, and chatted with us about the future of arts supports in Kilkenny!

Your ideas and experiences are helping to shape a new 10-Year Arts Strategy for County Kilkenny, and we greatly appreciate everyone who took the time to have their say.

There's still time to get involved! Join us tomorrow at:

📍 Graiguenamanagh Library | 10am – 12.30pm
📍 Castlecomer Library | 2pm – 4.30pm

Or complete our short questionnaire online at kilkennyartsoffice.ie.

We look forward to hearing from you!

16/06/2026

We Want to Hear From You!

The Kilkenny County Council Arts Office team is on The Parade today as part of our public consultation process for a new 10-Year Arts Strategy for County Kilkenny.

How can we grow, support, and sustain the arts in Kilkenny over the next decade? We want to hear your ideas and perspectives.

📍 The Parade, Kilkenny City
🕛 12pm–2pm
🕒 3pm–4pm
🕔 5pm–6pm

Pop by, have a chat, and help shape the future of the arts in Kilkenny.

16/06/2026

Kilkenny County Council Arts Strategy 2027-2037

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office is undertaking a series of public consultations as part of the development of our new Arts Strategy. This strategy will support us, as an organisation, to sustain and strengthen artist activity throughout the city and county, ensuring Kilkenny’s position as a centre for excellence for the arts and a successful and thriving arts environment.

Through this consultation process, we aim to listen carefully to a wide range of perspectives, enabling us to ensure that diverse voices are heard and valued. The insights gathered will help us identify current needs, opportunities, and challenges, and will inform a strategy that is inclusive, responsive, and reflective of the rich cultural life of our communities.

Be part of a strategy that reflects the richness of our communities and supports an inclusive, responsive, and thriving arts environment.

We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the following short questionnaire:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=LDIYafZJak2hF4aI4Xp0iTKXJA1jyVJCpXl9QnBiTvVUODZBNkhWVjUzMzFFVDlVSk9OU1lJNzIwSC4u&route=shorturl

12/06/2026

The Afterwords Collective return to the Tea Houses, Kilkenny, for their second exhibition in this unique and atmospheric setting, bringing together a deeply personal and reflective body of work inspired by poetry, memory, place, and human connection. Curated by Shane Gallagher, the exhibition opens with a soft opening on Wednesday 10th June and continues daily until Wednesday 17th June, with the official opening taking place on Saturday 13th June from 7–9pm.

At the heart of the collective’s practice is poet Frances Moore, whose writing acts as the starting point for each artist’s creative response. Members of the collective individually select one of Moore’s poems and interpret its themes, emotions, and imagery through their own preferred artistic medium. The resulting exhibition is a rich and diverse conversation between poetry and visual art, spanning painting, ceramics, printmaking, thread work, sculpture, and mixed media practices.
Themes woven throughout the exhibition include the changing local environment, the movement and symbolism of water, the emotional shifts that accompany different chapters of life, and the evolving relationships between family

The exhibition also celebrates the collective itself — a group of artists and educators whose shared passion for creativity, dialogue, and community is evident throughout the work.

Visitors are invited to attend an artist talk on Tuesday 16th June from 6–7pm, offering further insight into the collaborative process behind the exhibition and the individual stories, memories, and poetic connections that shape this thoughtful and moving collection of work.

📍 Exhibition Dates:
Wednesday 10th June – Wednesday 17th June
🕚 Open daily from 11am–5pm
🎉 Official Opening Reception: Saturday 13th June 7pm–9pm
Artist Talk Wednesday 16th June 6pm - 7pm

Book your seat:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1991245217047?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/06/2026

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office is undertaking a series of public consultations as part of the development of our new Arts Strategy. Through this consultation process, we aim to listen carefully to a wide range of perspectives, enabling us to ensure that diverse voices are heard and valued.
The insights gathered will help us identify current needs, opportunities, and challenges, and will inform a strategy that is inclusive, responsive, and reflective of the rich cultural life of our communities.
We would be delighted if you could join us at a public consultation to share your thoughts. Please see the following dates and times:

PILTOWN
DATE: 15th June
VENUE: Piltown Community centre
TIME: 5pm – 7pm
CITY
DATE: 16th June
VENUE: The Parade
TIME: 12 – 2pm / 3 -4pm & 5pm – 7pm
GRAIGUENAMANAGH
DATE 17th June
VENUE: Graiguenamanagh Library
TIME: 10 – 12.30
CASTLECOMER
DATE 17th June
VENUE: Castlecomer Library
TIME: 2pm – 4.30pm

08/06/2026

REMINDER: Deadline this Wednesday 10th June for Age and Opportunity Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency

The Age & Opportunity Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency Award in partnership with Kilkenny County Council Arts Office aims to support older professional artists to develop their practice, by creating time and space to think and reflect on their work and to bolster their peer network.

Applications should be submitted to [email protected] no later than 4pm, Wednesday 10th June 2026.

Visit the below link to download application form:

The Age & Opportunity Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residency Award in partnership with Kilkenny County Council Arts Office aims to support older professional artists to develop their practice, by creating time and space to think and reflect on their work and to bolster their peer network. This will be achi...

02/06/2026

A gentle evening of stitching, creativity and connection at Sewing Seeds this evening 🌿🧵

Drawing on the techniques and skills developed throughout previous Sewing Seeds sessions, participants spent the evening creating textile pictures through embroidery, layering, and textile collage. Using reclaimed fabrics, each person explored colour, texture, and composition to create a unique piece of work.

The workshop provided an opportunity to revisit and build upon skills learned across the programme, including hand sewing, embroidery, repair, and creative textile reuse.

Working slowly and mindfully, participants transformed textile remnants into art - thank you to everyone who joined us today.

21/05/2026

Powerscourt Estate calls on the public to nominate Ireland’s nature champions this Summer

Working with Nature Awards 2026 now open for nominations until Thursday 11th June

Powerscourt Estate is calling on the public to get out into nature this May and nominate the individuals, community groups, organisations and small businesses helping to protect, restore and reconnect people with the natural world.

The Working with Nature Awards 2026, now in their second year, celebrate practical and inspiring action taking place across Ireland — from native planting, pollinator pathways and wildlife restoration to nature storytelling, outdoor learning and wellbeing initiatives.
Launched earlier this spring to mark Earth Day, the national awards are now open for nominations until Wednesday 3 June 2026.

As Summer brings, longer evenings and a renewed sense of life outdoors, Powerscourt is encouraging people across Ireland to take notice of the nature around them and champion the projects making a real difference.

The awards are open across three categories:
• Biodiversity & Rewilding
• Nature Media
• Nature Education & Wellbeing

Powerscourt sees the Working with Nature Awards as a natural extension of its own long-term commitment to sustainability, biodiversity and custodianship. This May call-out encourages people to reconnect with the natural world, celebrate those caring for it and help shine a light on the projects working quietly and powerfully on nature’s behalf.

The stories behind the nominations will be shared across Powerscourt’s digital channels and featured onsite at Powerscourt House throughout May and June, turning the awards into a wider national showcase for nature in action.

The judging panel includes some of Ireland’s best-known environmental voices, including Éanna Ní Lamhna and Duncan Stewart, alongside Powerscourt’s Head Gardener, Alex Slazenger.
Speaking about the awards, Sarah Slazenger, Managing Director at Powerscourt Estate, said:

‘May is one of the most beautiful times to reconnect with nature. As gardens, woodlands, hedgerows and communities across Ireland come alive, it is the perfect moment to notice the people who are caring for nature every day.

‘Through the Working with Nature Awards, we want to recognise the individuals, groups and organisations making a genuine difference, often quietly and without fanfare, and give them a platform to inspire others.’

She added:
‘At Powerscourt, protecting biodiversity and working with nature has long been central to our ethos. These awards celebrate hopeful, practical action and the growing community of people finding meaningful ways to protect and restore the natural world.’
Interview opportunities are available with members of the judging panel, including Éanna Ní Lamhna, Duncan Stewart and Powerscourt Head Gardener Alex Slazenger, who can speak about biodiversity, nature restoration, community action, outdoor learning and why May is such an important time to reconnect with the natural world.
Key dates for 2026
• Nominations now open
• Thursday 11th June – Nominations close (Extended deadline)
• Monday 15th June – Shortlist announced
• Thursday 2 July – Awards Ceremony at Powerscourt Estate

Nominations can be made at:
www.powerscourt.com/workingwithnature

Awards and recognition
Winners from each category will receive:
• A bespoke award crafted from hand-picked wood from Powerscourt Estate
• A €500 bursary to support their project

An overall winner will be awarded the title of ‘Outstanding Nature Protector’, along with the Ultimate Powerscourt Experience, including a stay at the five-star Powerscourt Hotel, a VIP experience at Powerscourt Distillery, Annual Membership to Powerscourt Gardens and a four-ball at Powerscourt Golf Club. The overall winner and ‘Outstanding Nature Protector’ will also receive a place on the ‘Leaders for Nature’ leadership programme (valued at €2,000), developed by Common Purpose Ireland.