Arts and Cultural Diversity

Artists Eve Li, Sean Doogan, and Ciaran McCann (Re-Act) worked in three groups in Donegal to deliver workshops for new communities. The targeted areas included Falcarragh, Letterkenny, Dobhar and Lifford. The workshops explored myths and legends from around the world. Facilitators began with storytelling, sharing their stories from Ireland, England, and China to encourage participants to engage in storytelling and story exchange. Through a series of workshops, the final showcase consisted of 5 filmed participant interviews, workshop activities, and storytelling. These short films were publicly screened at the Regional Cultural Centre

Fig 2 – Adult Workshop videos (Myths and Legends)

Donegal Arts Service partnered with four primary schools throughout Donegal – Ballymore, Creeslough, Holy Trinity and Killygordon National Schools in presenting a multicultural music event at the Regional Cultural Centre (RCC). The event saw over 100 young people taking to the stage playing songs from, Ireland and Ukraine on classical guitars and Ukulele’s.  

One Million Stars Ireland project is an inclusive community arts project connecting communities across Ireland in solidarity against domestic abuse and all forms of violence. Donegal Arts Service partnered with Donegal Volunteer Centre (DVC) in exhibiting over six thousand stars in the shape of umbrellas (providing shelter) at the Regional Cultural Centre. Our artist (originally from the Ukraine) along with team members from DVC have worked with groups throughout Donegal in the production of these stars, groups included: Direct Provision Centres, Women’s groups, community groups and other social inclusion groups. The exhibition has toured to Buncrana library, Lifford Old Courthouse and will now move on to Bundoran library.

Donegal Arts service partnered with the Social Inclusion Unit at Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Community Development Programme, Donegal Volunteer Centre, Donegal Intercultural Platform and An Grianán theatre to deliver a celebration day today in Letterkenny as part of Donegal Africa Day 2024. The annual event brought together people of all backgrounds to celebrate the cultural diversity of the residents of Donegal. The celebrations at the An Grianan Theatre Plaza saw African cultural and musical performances, as well as a variety of African food stalls/crafts available for the public to enjoy.

Knowledge exchange is a key priority of the Creative Ireland programme. Through the Artist Mentor programme, Donegal Arts Service supported by Creative Ireland provided an opportunity for educational and arts and Cultural venues to engage with new artists from Black and Minority Ethnic and Global Majority communities. Each venue provided space and time for the two artists in a mentorship programme. Through engagement in this programme artists co-designed and co-created original pieces of work. As part of Culture Night 2024 three of the artists performed an original piece in An Grianán theatre, Letterkenny and another artist had a public reading in Atlantic Technology University as part of Black History Month. In November 2024 the RCC hosted our final artist in her first solo Irish performance.

L-R Deborah Stockdale, Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh Kennedy, Artist Hanna Pidkaliuk, Tetiana Kovalova.

As part of the Cruinniú na nÓg & Shared Island, Donegal County Council partnered with Scoil Cholmcille, Donegal and Eglington primary school, Derry to deliver a cross-border, cross-community multi-cultural Arts and Cultural Diversity project.

The ‘Bridging Borders, Embracing Diversity’ project established a cross-border, cross-community arts and cultural diversity programme for two primary schools, one in Donegal and one in Derry. This initiative was designed to foster cultural exchange, promote understanding, and celebrate diversity among students, educators, and the wider community.

Donegal County Council employed the services of seven artists to share their skills over four days with pupils from each school, their teachers, parents/guardians and grandparents. The pupils took part in the following artforms: dancing/movement, storytelling and music. Each school has a diverse student population, and we reflected this through the arts practice. In Scoil Cholmcille alone there were over 50 nationalities represented. This was a whole school initiative linking in with the Creative Schools programme. The project took place during school hours over the week leading up to Cruinniú na nÓg.

As part of Africa Day 2024, Donegal Arts service partnered with Donegal Volunteer Centre to create an all-male choir to perform a one-off show for Africa Day. In the summer of 2024, the Arts service decided to re-animate the African Male Voices group to take part in Culture Night and the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks carnival. The group has been organised to provide a social network and outlet for new arrivals into Donegal. Countries represented by the group were Togo, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

Working alongside the county museum, Donegal Arts service designed and was successful in achieving funding for ‘Women 100’. The project will explore the experiences of women during the early years of the State and their contribution to the events that occurred, including their changing role in society. The project will culminate in a captivating exhibition at the county Museum in November 2024, it will shine a light on the diverse tapestry of women's lives, serving as a testament to their resilience, creativity, and enduring impact.

SAM ROM (We are Roma) – In a unique and enriching collaboration, Donegal Arts Service partnered with Donegal Travellers Project and the Regional Cultural Centre to present an intercultural film and photography project as part of this year’s Earagail Arts Festival. The initiative shed light on the Roma community in Ireland, with a particular focus on those residing in Donegal.

The centrepiece of this project is the short documentary SAM ROM. SAM ROM is a powerful film that delves into the lives of the Roma people through deeply personal interviews and intimate scenes. It aims to highlight the rich tapestry and diversity of Roma culture while addressing the everyday challenges faced by the community. The documentary emphasises the strength and resilience of the Roma people, aiming to foster understanding, empathy, and a more inclusive society in Donegal and across Ireland.

Alongside libraries, Donegal Family Resources Centres are a first point of contact for International Protection Applicants (IPA’s) and Benefits of Temporary Protection (BOTP). The Arts Service met with the network of managers for the FRC’s in Donegal. The Arts Service have included the FRC’s in submission to the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Social Investment Award. The continued building of relationships with multiple stakeholders ensures that those on the margin’s, seldom heard communities are being targeted in a coordinated way to ensure effective results.

Through the Creative Ireland grant, Donegal Arts Service has partnered with artists in four different areas to deliver a series of six workshops with International Protection Applicants, new communities and refugees in community & Family Resource Centres. The artforms explored are visual arts, spoken word, music and movement. Artists are supported to upskill in group facilitation and workshop participants engage in high quality participatory arts experiences in a safe environment.

The annual Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival will reach out to new communities in 2024 to take part in the Ballyshannon Carnival. Members of the African Male Voices group will travel to Ballyshannon this year to take part in the carnival parade. The Arts Service will strategically engage emergency accommodation, temporary accommodation centres and IPAS Centres to reach new arrivals and include them in this event.

The Indian Community Centre Letterkenny with support from Donegal Arts service and Donegal County Council’s Social Inclusion Unit presented the inaugural Donegal Mela in August 2024. This landmark event celebrated and showcased the vibrant Indian culture within the community of Donegal, offering a unique blend of workshops, activities, music, live performances, and stalls for all ages to enjoy.

Donegal Mela is another step in the implementation of the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy by Donegal County Council, which seeks to promote cultural diversity, inclusion, and unity within the community.

This event marks a significant cultural celebration, providing a platform for the Indian community to share their rich heritage with the broader Donegal community. It's a fantastic opportunity for families and individuals to enjoy an afternoon of cultural immersion and entertainment. Donegal Mela is a partnership between the Indian Community Centre Letterkenny, Donegal County Council and is supported by Creative Ireland.

Donegal Travellers Project celebrated Traveller Pride Festival by moving the celebration to Ballyshannon in the South of Donegal. Meath Travellers Workshop brought their living history exhibition to Donegal. Hosted by the Donegal Travellers Project, as part of the annual Traveller Pride festival, the outdoor display featured a restored barrel-top wagon, traditional tent and campfire, tinsmithing demonstrations, beady-pocket, and paper-flower making, and storytelling. Donegal Arts service acted as a liaison and provided a site for the successful event.