12 October 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
The 2nd Annual Creative Ireland County Cork Conference will take place in Baile Mhúirne, County Cork, on the 9th and 10th of November 2018
The second annual Creative Ireland County Cork Conference, taking place in the Abbey Hotel, Baile Mhúirne on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th 2018. ‘Bliain na Gaelge’ will the theme of the two day event. The event will also involve the launch of a five year Culture and Creativity Strategy by Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. Patrick Gerard Murphy.
The Conference will begin with talks by members of Cork County Council’s Culture Team (with representation across the Arts, Library, Heritage, Tourism and Irish sections of the Council) to indicate the various supports and initiatives currently in place for promotion of culture within the County. The afternoon will feature talks by key people synonymous with the Irish Language including Peadar Ó Ríada of Cúil Aodha and Máirtín Ó Méalóid of Oileán Chléire. Cork County Council’s Irish Officer Aileen Loughrey noted that ‘this afternoon session will be a wonderful opportunity to get a real sense of the value of Irish within the County and to examine possibilities for its future encouragement and development.
There will be much activity taking place in and around Baile Mhúirne for the Conference and attendees will also be able to avail of designated free tours of nearby sites, which will also be run over the two days.
The County Cork Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 – 2022 will be launched by Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Patrick Gerard Murphy who states ‘I commend the already excellent cultural involvement by people across the County and warmly welcome the County Cork Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018–2022 – a great opportunity for increased collaboration, participation and engagement in strengthening the role of the very culture that we love, right here in the County of Cork’.
Within this strategy are six key priorities for action with regard to Culture and Creativity within the County. One of these priorities is the Irish Language which has been chosen to be the theme of of the event. The others are;
· Enhancing and Investing in our Local Cultural and Creative Infrastructure
· Encouraging the exploration of creative ability through culture
· Fostering a sense of belonging to place through our culture and heritage
· Supporting and promoting full community engagement with culture
· Showcasing County Cork
The conference is open to all and free of charge. Those looking to attend are simply requested to email creativeireland@corkcoco.ie.
Creative Ireland is a five year national programme that seeks to put culture at the heart of who we are and what we do as a people. The Programme is in recognition of the exceptional role that people and groups have been playing with regards to preserving and promoting culture locally and provides a myriad of supports to encourage continued belief in this culture and creativity in its expression.
The Creative Ireland Programme seeks to put culture at the heart of everything we do, and provides the County of Cork a great opportunity to enhance and further promote and encourage the cultural undertakings of the County. The upcoming conference has relevance for all people and groups concerned with local culture including those with an interest in the Irish Language. Community groups throughout the County are encouraged to attend.
The conference forms part of the Creative Ireland Programme in the County of Cork. For more information on Creative Ireland in Cork County phone 021 4285905 or email creativeireland@corkcoco.ie. The Conference Programme will shortly be available online at www.corkcoco.ie/creative-ireland.
