Arts and Cultural Diversity

A powerful installation came to Letterkenny with a big message about domestic abuse and solidarity through art. The LOVE Installation is part of the One Million Stars Ireland initiative and was hosted in three locations in the town.

Thanks to the Donegal Volunteer Centre with support from Donegal County Council and ATU Donegal the installation started at ATU Donegal, then was at the Letterkenny Public Services Centre and finally outside An Grianán Theatre.

Made up of handwoven eight-point stars – each one representing light, hope and unity against violence – the colourful exhibition featured stars from all over Ireland. The installation was a powerful visual statement of community support and resilience.

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 artists in our mentorship programme. Through engagement in this programme artists co-design and co-create original pieces of work. As part of Culture Night 2025 artists will perform an original piece.

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

Donegal County Council has added to its existing mentor programme with the Mentor Artist Exhibition/Showcase—a programme to develop artistic practice and highlight the value of mentoring in the arts. Through creative guidance, financial support and public presentation this project gave emerging artists the opportunity to work with experienced mentors and share their work with the wider community.
The mentor-artists working in pairs delivered a series of public events including performances, rehearsed readings and exhibitions in cultural venues supported by Donegal County Council. These events were the culmination of their collaborative work and a chance to share their artistic voice with local audiences.
Donegal County Council through the Housing Finance Agency provided funding to cover the costs of the showcases and embedded capacity building supports into the programme. This meant mentors and artists had the tools and resources they needed to succeed.

By investing in mentoring and providing a platform for presentation the project made a real contribution to the cultural landscape of Donegal—showcasing the role of local government in supporting the arts and creative development.

As part of Social Inclusion Week Donegal Arts Service worked with 10 Family Resource Centres across the county to deliver Fly a Kite for Inclusion, a creative and community focused initiative to promote cultural diversity and inclusion.

Based on the cultural symbolism of kites in Chinese tradition - where they represent freedom, hope and friendship - the project brought communities together in a spirit of celebration and understanding.

Workshops and Events
Each of the 10 Family Resource Centres hosted kite making workshops where families and community members could design and make their own kite. These workshops were not only creative outlets but also spaces for dialogue, connection and cultural exchange.

In addition to the workshops, open day events were held at each centre where people could celebrate inclusion and diversity through arts based activities and shared experiences.

Community Impact
Fly a Kite for Inclusion engaged a wide and diverse range of participants, reflecting the richness of Donegal’s communities. By bringing people together around a shared activity the project strengthened community, encouraged intercultural connections and highlighted the importance of inclusion in everyday life.

The project was a fun and educational experience, strengthening community bonds and valuing cultural diversity in Donegal.

Smartphone Filmmaking Residential Weekend for New Arrivals in Donegal

In Early 2025 Donegal welcomed a new creative initiative to empower Black, Minority Ethnic, and Global Majority communities through filmmaking. The Smartphone Filmmaking Residential Weekend gave participants hands on training in scriptwriting, filmmaking and editing – all using the tools they carry in their pockets every day.

Led by Póca Productions, this residential weekend was a supportive and collaborative space where creativity flourished and new skills were developed.

Training and Activities
Over the weekend participants received training in:

• Scriptwriting – The basics of storytelling and writing short scripts up to 2 minutes long.
• Filmmaking – Practical experience of shooting video using smartphones and access to and instruction on professional equipment.
• Editing – Guidance on editing using mobile friendly software.

Participants worked in teams to bring their stories to life, shooting as many short films as possible over the weekend. Those who didn’t complete their films on site were encouraged to continue working independently, building on the momentum of the weekend.

Project Impact
By the end of the project a collection of short films were produced – up to 12 in total, with a minimum of 4 completed on site. More than a training programme, the Smartphone Filmmaking Residential Weekend created community, built confidence and gave participants a creative outlet to continue beyond the project.

This initiative not only gave individuals media skills but also space for personal expression, storytelling and shared experience among Donegal’s newest residents.

As part of Cruinniú na nÓg & Shared Island, Donegal County Council partnered with primary schools in Donegal and Derry to deliver cross-border, cross-community multi-cultural Arts and Cultural Diversity projects.

The "Our World – Celebration of Cultures" project was a cross-border, cross-community arts and cultural diversity initiative involving six primary schools, three in Donegal and three in Derry. Designed to promote cultural exchange understanding and celebrate diversity, the project engaged students, teachers, parents/guardians and grandparents in a series of immersive arts and cultural activities. Through the collaborative efforts of experienced artists, students explored dance/movement, storytelling, circus skills and music while reflecting the diverse cultural identities present within their schools.

In 2025 Donegal County Council Arts Service will launch Trav Art – Forum Theatre, a new initiative developed in partnership with the Donegal Travellers Project. The project will put Traveller voices and experiences at the heart of creative expression, using theatre as a tool for dialogue, empowerment and cultural understanding. Trav Art has been co-designed with members of the Traveller community and will explore issues relevant to Traveller culture through a series of drama workshops. David Grant, Senior Drama Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast will lead the project. He has extensive experience of working with marginalised groups using theatre of the oppressed and forum theatre methods. Through a series of interactive workshops participants from the Traveller community will be supported to “tell their story” and explore complex social and cultural themes in a safe and respectful environment. Forum Theatre techniques will be used to spark conversation and inspire change by inviting participants and audiences to engage with real life scenarios and consider different perspectives. The project has been co-designed between Donegal County Council Arts Service and the Donegal Travellers Project to ensure it reflects the needs, interests and priorities of the Traveller community. Trav Art – Forum Theatre will foster understanding, challenge assumptions and amplify Traveller voices in the wider Donegal community. It will create opportunities for dialogue, artistic expression and social awareness – showing how the arts can be a bridge between cultures and a catalyst for change.

The annual Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival will reach out to new communities in 2025 to take part in the Ballyshannon Carnival. The Arts Service will strategically engage with Bundoran Community Development, emergency accommodation, temporary accommodation centres and IPAS Centres to reach new arrivals and include them in this event.

Now in its second year, the Indian Community Letterkenny with support from Donegal Arts service and Donegal County Council’s Social Inclusion Unit will present Donegal Mela in August 2025. This landmark event celebrates and showcases 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 County Council will host four Intercultural Cabarets, a  celebration of diversity through arts, culture and food. In partnership with cultural organisations across Donegal each event will feature a national arts practitioner from a diverse background and will provide an inclusive platform for international, national and local Black and Minority Ethnic artists. These fun, multi-artform events will showcase cultural expression and connection and visibility within the community. Billie Jean King said "You have to see it to be it" the Intercultural Cabaret will promote representation and inclusion in the arts. As per Recommendation 5 of Intercultural Art in Action the project will actively invite artists from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with local practitioners – strengthening intercultural dialogue and enriching Donegal’s cultural landscape.

In March 2025 Donegal County Council’s Cathaoirleach, Clr. Niamh Kennedy hosted a special concert to support Donegal Domestic Violence Services. Two of Donegal’s biggest stars, Moya Brennan of Clannad and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, were joint hosts for the evening. The event was called An Evening with Moya Brennan and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and took place at An Grianán Theatre on April 18th. The Friel Sisters, emerging Gaoth Dobhair singer-songwriter Larabel, the Danú Young Women’s Choir and others performed on the night. Clr. Kennedy spoke about the need to raise awareness around domestic violence and break the silence around survivors, about the courage it takes to leave an abusive situation and the need for more support and safe accommodation for vulnerable people. She praised the work of Donegal Domestic Violence Services and said the concert was to empower individuals and raise funds to provide safe homes. Dr. Marie Hainsworth, CEO of Donegal Domestic Violence Services said domestic abuse is a local issue in Donegal as well as nationally and that the service supported 300 families affected by domestic abuse in 2024 and provided emergency accommodation to over 60 families.

Donegal Arts Service presented at the annual Week of Cities and Regions. The European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy. It has grown to become a neutral platform to discuss common challenges for Europe's regions and cities by bringing together a diverse community of speakers and participants. The event aims to address shared challenges faced by Europe's regions and cities by gathering politicians, decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders from various sectors and exploring potential solutions. It serves as a platform for capacity-building, knowledge exchange, and the sharing of best practices for those involved in implementing EU cohesion policy and managing its financial instruments. Additionally, the event fosters cooperation and networking between regions and cities and contributes to the broader discussion on EU cohesion policy, incorporating insights from recent research and international perspectives.

Donegal Culture Division has been actively engaged in the development of a new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy through a collaborative and consultative process. This work has included the formation of a dedicated working group within the division, the facilitation of a focus group to gather lived experiences and insights, and the establishment of an external advisory panel to provide expert guidance. Together, these elements have informed a more inclusive cultural strategy that reflects the diverse voices and communities of Donegal.