Photography Residencies in Ireland

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.

Artlink Fort Dunree

Dunree, Ireland

Artlink Fort Dunree is a professional visual arts residency program based at a historic clifftop military site in County Donegal, Ireland. The four-week residencies (April-September ) support artists across all disciplines to develop new work responding to the unique site and local community, with expectations for studio practice (20+ hours/week) and public engagement.

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.

Cill Rialaig Project

Ballinskelligs, Ireland

Cill Rialaig Project is a contemporary arts retreat founded in 1991 by Noelle Campbell-Sharp, located in a restored pre-famine village (c.1790) on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic in County Kerry, Ireland. It offers free residencies to visual artists, writers, poets, composers, and other creative professionals from around the world, providing isolated living-work spaces without television, telephones, or internet to enable artistic focus and reflection.

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.

Creative Spark

Dundalk, Ireland

Creative Spark’s Artist-in-Residence Programme supports both emerging and established artists working across disciplines. Residents develop their practice in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with access to specialist facilities including a Fine Art Print Studio, Darkroom, FabLab, Textile Lab, and a Kiln Room. The programme emphasizes skills development, experimentation and community connection, offering opportunities to share work through talks, demonstrations and public participation. Artists can exhibit locally and engage with Creative Spark’s wider community and studios ecosystem. Technical support is available throughout, and studio spaces include shared areas with water supply. The programme welcomes Irish and international artists, with a strong regional connection to County Louth.

Watershed Studios

Galway, Ireland

Watershed Studios is an artist residency program located in Galway, Ireland, offering artists of all career stages time, space, and community to encourage growth and experimentation. The program provides studio space converted from a historic fish factory and farm shed, along with newly refurbished cottage accommodation with views of the River Corrib, accommodating six artists at a time.