Artist Residencies in Ireland

Áras Éanna (Aras Eanna)

Inis Oírr, Ireland

Áras Éanna offers an Artist in Residence program that supports artists by providing them with time and space to develop their practice on the Gaeltacht island of Inis Oírr, Ireland. Each year, up to sixteen residencies are available, including accommodation in a private apartment or room, a self-contained studio, and access to galleries and theatre facilities. The residencies can last from two weeks to one month, offering artists the unique opportunity to create new work in a culturally rich environment. The program covers return ferry costs, accommodation, studio space, and provides a stipend. Artists from all stages of their professional life, from emerging to well-established, are welcome to apply. Inis Oírr, with its dramatic Atlantic landscapes and vibrant cultural community, serves as a source of inspiration for artists. The selection process is conducted by a professional jury, ensuring a diverse range of participants. Áras Éanna has been hosting artists for over twenty years, fostering creativity and cultural exchange on this small, picturesque island.

Artfarm

Newbridge, Ireland

Artfarm Residency, nestled in a rural setting, offers a unique artistic retreat within an old style two-bedroom stone cottage, emphasizing a self-catering, self-reliant lifestyle. With no landline, internet, or TV, and varying mobile coverage, the residency fosters creativity in harmony with nature, encouraging residents to live with a light ecological footprint, adhering to zero waste principles. The residency is ideal for those comfortable with solitude and keen on engaging with the local community and ecology. Offering bicycles for transportation and emphasizing sustainable living, Artfarm welcomes collaborative projects and individuals focused on ecology, climate emergency, and place-based practices. It supports socially engaged practice, ecology, and activism, situated in a region known for its small farms, wetlands, and conservation efforts, with local amenities and public transport within reach. Fees cover maintenance while promoting a 'Leave no Trace' ethos, and the community-oriented residency encourages applications from those sharing its sustainable and creative ideals.

Ballinglen Arts Foundation

Ballycastle, Ireland

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation, established in 1992, is nestled in the quaint village of Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland. This unique foundation offers the Fellowship Programme which welcomes both Irish and international artists to immerse themselves in rural Ireland’s inspiring landscape and vibrant community. Unlike typical retreats, Ballinglen encourages fellows to bring family or companions, facilitating a communal and integrative experience. Fellows are provided with private cottages and dedicated studios to explore and create, contributing to the cultural fabric of the local area through engagement with the community’s public spaces, shops, and natural surroundings. The residency’s connection with the community and the dynamic North Atlantic coastal environment provides a profound source of inspiration, reaffirmed by the permanent collection housed in the Ballinglen Museum of Art which features works created by past fellows. This collection not only enhances the cultural heritage of the area but also fosters ongoing engagement with the visual arts. Artists interested in the Fellowship must apply and are selected based on their portfolio and professional standing, with the aim of fostering both their creative growth and the cultural enrichment of the local community.

Burren College of Art

Ballyvaughan, Ireland

The Burren College of Art Artist Residency program, nestled in the stunning landscape of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland, offers artists a unique opportunity to explore and expand their creative practice. The program is open to artists at all stages of their careers, providing a tranquil environment away from the pressures of daily life, where the natural beauty of the Burren serves as a source of inspiration. Residencies range from 1 to 3 months, with options for more structured programs like Residency+ and Burren Immersion, which include academic support and community engagement. The college facilities include a dedicated studio space, access to a variety of workshops, and the opportunity to participate in college events and lectures. Accommodation is available on campus, offering a comfortable and supportive environment for creative exploration. The residency emphasizes the importance of connecting with the local culture and landscape, encouraging artists to engage with the community and the unique ecological setting of the Burren. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with special programs scheduled throughout the academic year.

Clare Island Studio

Clare Island, Ireland

Clare Island Studio, located in the remote and beautiful Clare Island, Ireland, offers a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in a serene and inspiring environment. The residency is housed in a meticulously restored stone cottage with a separate, light-filled artist studio. Nestled in Ballytoughey, the ancestral home of the prolific painter Tony O’Malley, the cottage integrates modern conveniences with traditional aesthetics. The surrounding landscape, with views over Clew Bay and the looming presence of the Big Hill, provides a tranquil backdrop for creative exploration. The studio, originally a shed built in the 1960s, now features external insulation, constant light, and a utility space with a double sink, toilet, and shower. Practicing artists, both established and emerging, are welcomed year-round to rent the house and studio together or separately, seeking inspiration from the island’s rich history and quiet beauty. Travel around the island is on foot or by bicycle, with pick-up and drop-off from the ferry included in the rental cost. The studio is equipped with WiFi and underfloor heating, offering a comfortable and productive environment for artists.

Cow House Studios

Wexford, Ireland

Cow House Studios, established in 2008 in County Wexford, Ireland, offers artist residencies for professionals in various disciplines. These residencies provide a platform for artists at different career stages, from emerging to established, and contribute to the local community by bringing contemporary artwork to a rural setting. The studio environment fosters creativity and interdisciplinary exchange, with artists sharing a large, adaptable space. This setup encourages interaction and inspiration from each other's work. The residency programs at Cow House Studios include the Open Residency Program, the Parenting Artist Residency (PAR), and an annually themed curated residency. The Open Residency Program is flexible, catering to artists from diverse fields for periods ranging from one week to six weeks. The PAR, developed in collaboration with The Mothership Project, specifically supports parenting artists, offering childcare and other necessary support for artists with dependents under 18. The curated residency, initiated in 2014, involves a curator proposing a theme for the residency, leading to the production of new artworks and possibly an exhibition or publication. Cow House Studios is committed to supporting the artistic community through these programs and collaborations with national and international organizations. These partnerships provide opportunities for exhibitions, publications, and professional development. The studio, run as a not-for-profit endeavor, is supported by Wexford County Council, which helps in expanding and experimenting with new residency models.

Greywood Arts

Killeagh, Ireland

Greywood Arts offers a residency program designed to provide artists with time, space, and resources to focus on their creative processes. Located in a historic Georgian house in Killeagh, Cork, the residency welcomes both local and international artists, fostering a vibrant community and encouraging collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. The residency includes accommodation in private rooms, access to various studio spaces, and opportunities to engage with the local community through workshops and events. Artists are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and embrace both successes and failures as part of their creative journey. Greywood Arts emphasizes the importance of process over product, inviting new work as well as the development of ongoing projects. The residency supports a wide range of artistic practices, providing a nurturing environment for creative growth and professional development. Through partnerships, Greywood Arts also occasionally offers funded residencies and letters of support for artists applying for additional funding.

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (TBG+S)

Dublin, Ireland

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (TBG+S) in Dublin, Ireland, offers subsidized workspaces for professional visual artists in a secure, comfortable, and professional environment. TBG+S provides three types of studio memberships: Three Year Membership Studios for established artists, Project Studios for emerging artists or those working on specific projects, and a Recent Graduate Residency for artists who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in fine arts. The selection process is guided by a diverse peer panel, committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the artistic community. Artists awarded studios at TBG+S benefit from a dynamic creative environment, networking opportunities, and various supports such as mentorship and financial bursaries. The program emphasizes the value of artistic potential and contribution to the vibrant art scene in Dublin.

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre

Newbliss, Ireland

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, located at Annaghmakerrig House in County Monaghan, Ireland, is a renowned residency program that promotes excellence and innovation across all art forms. The Centre provides professional artists—including writers, musicians, composers, choreographers, filmmakers, designers, and more—with a supportive environment to work, create, and engage in peer exchange. Open to professional artists with a proven track record in their field, the residency invites applications year-round. Artists can choose between full-board accommodations in the historic house or self-catering options in nearby cottages. The Centre offers a tranquil setting ideal for concentrated work, with residents benefiting from a nurturing and inclusive community. Fees vary depending on residency duration and location, with options available for residents from Europe and internationally. The Centre is well-supported by various cultural bodies, ensuring a high standard of facilities and an enriching experience for all attendees.

Theatre in Palm

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Theatre in Palm Residencies offers a unique opportunity for emerging theatre artists to develop professionally and expand their networks across Europe. Hosted in 12 partner countries, these two-week residencies focus on collaboration, inspiration, and the creation of shareable works. Each residency will produce a co-production in various forms, emphasizing themes like social impact, equality, and environmental sustainability. Participants will receive travel, accommodation, and compensation. The program aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges and enhance the visibility of emerging artists in the European theatre scene.

Thoor Ballylee

Galway, Ireland

The Thoor Ballylee Artist-in-Residence program, hosted by the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society in Galway, Ireland, offers a unique residency opportunity in the historic home of poet W.B. Yeats. Opened in 2019, The Studio at Thoor Ballylee serves as a cultural hub, providing artists with a space for workshops, exhibitions, and educational sessions. Each year, the residency supports two artists for two-week periods in July and September, focusing on literature, creative writing, visual arts, textiles, and more. The program includes accommodation, local travel costs, and a modest daily stipend, encouraging engagement with local artists and the community through exhibitions, performances, and workshops.