Living Artfully: Final Showcase at Borris House

A Powerful Closing Event

The Living Artfully project came to a moving conclusion at Borris House, where nine creative projects were presented through film, performance, and participant reflections. The event captured the essence of what Living Artfully set out to achieve: building confidence, reducing isolation, and supporting wellbeing through meaningful engagement with the arts.

Creativity Across Carlow and Kilkenny

Throughout the programme, participants across Carlow and Kilkenny took part in a wide range of workshops, including:

• Poetry and creative writing
• Singing and music
• Movement and dance
• Visual art and craft
• Collaborative storytelling

Many participants shared personal reflections on how the project helped them rediscover joy, rebuild confidence, and find meaningful ways to express themselves during challenging times.

A Special Performance

The closing event featured a powerful performance by Iarla Ó Lionáird, including a specially commissioned piece inspired by the stories and experiences of Living Artfully. His performance added emotional depth to the celebration, beautifully capturing the creativity and resilience at the heart of the programme.

Our Thanks

To the Participants

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the groups and communities who took part. Their openness, courage, and creativity shaped each project from the ground up.

To the Artists

We extend warm thanks to the artists—many based in Kilkenny—whose talent, compassion, and dedication created safe, inspiring spaces for expression and connection.

To the Volunteers

The success of this programme was supported by volunteers whose generosity ensured that every activity was welcoming, accessible, and inclusive.

To the Project Coordinator

Special thanks to the project coordinator, whose organisation and leadership brought partners together across counties and kept the programme rooted in care, collaboration, and high-quality practice.

The Legacy of Living Artfully

The impact of Living Artfully continues long beyond its final event. It lives on in:

• New friendships formed
• Renewed confidence
• Stories shared
• A deeper understanding of the value of creativity for wellbeing and community life

Watch the Video

We invite you to watch this short film capturing the journey, voices, and creative impact of Living Artfully — and the creativity that continues to flourish across Carlow and Kilkenny.

This project was funded through Creative Ireland and the Creative Health and Wellbeing Fund.