The Arts Office of Clare County Council has announced that two Clare artists have each received a week-long bursary to stay at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig in County Monaghan.
Musician Aoife Doyle and playwright John O’Donovan will now have the opportunity to stay at the internationally-renowned residential workplace for artists of all disciplines.
The centre is dedicated to supporting and facilitating creativity within a welcoming, home-like and trusted environment. Artists can find peace and quiet to develop their work, together with the stimulation of living alongside other artists from all disciplines, enabling a rich cross-fertilization of ideas.
The centre was founded by the visionary theatre maker William Tyrone Guthrie who, with the advice and encouragement of his family, bequeathed his entire estate and family home to the State with the proviso that it would be used for the benefit of artists. He died in 1971, leaving it to the Irish State, as an artist’s retreat and since opening in 1981 thousands of artists have spent time there.
“This year we had a strong field of artists across a diverse range of media applying for this bursary,” said Siobhán Mulcahy, County Arts Officer.
“We are delighted with the interest in this scheme,” she continued. “The successful artists demonstrated clarity of purpose and a clear focus on quality work. We are confident that Aoife and John will represent Clare well during their stay. Both artists are currently working hard creating new work and these bursaries will support them in the development of this work and in their own personal and professional development as artists. We wish them both well.”