Creative Ireland Wexford Culture Team Projects 2026
New Ross
Arts and Sport – Community Building and Placemaking through Heritage in Killanne
Budget/Fee: €8,000 with €2,000 for travel and materials
Timeline: February - October 2026
Killanne is a small rural village in County Wexford, situated in the New Ross Municipal District. Despite its small size, it has a strong community, and it is rich in history and heritage.
An important landmark in Killanne is Rackard’s farmhouse. Dating back to the 18th century, this farmhouse was John Kelly’s home and holds architectural, artistic, historical, and social significance. Later, it became the residence of the Rackard family, renowned in Wexford for their hurling achievements. The family managed the farm and a pub, contributing to the local economy and culture.
The Rackard brothers of Killanne are celebrated icons in Irish sporting history, particularly in the world of hurling. Originating from North County Wexford, Nicky, Bobby, and Billy Rackard became renowned for their extraordinary athletic talents and contributions to the sport in the mid-20th century.
Nicky Rackard, the most famous of the trio, is widely considered one of the greatest hurlers of all time, renowned for his incredible scoring ability and unparalleled skill. The brothers played pivotal roles in Wexford’s hurling successes, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire new generations of players. Their story, marked by talent, dedication, and a deep love for the game, remains a proud part of Killanne’s heritage and Irish sports history.
July 26th marks the Feast of St. Anne, celebrated as the “pattern” day in Killanne. A notable site in the village is the holy well dedicated to St. Anne, located in a field near the ancient graveyard. This well is named after the old church that once stood in the current old graveyard, reinforcing the village’s deep historical and religious roots.
Killanne’s historical significance is further highlighted by its connection to the 1798 rebellion. The village churchyard serves as the final resting place of John Kelly, making it a site of considerable importance in Irish history.
Creative Call Out
The Creative Ireland programme and the Heritage Office at Wexford County Council, in collaboration with the New Ross Municipal District and the Killanne Development Group now seek applications from collaborative, socially engaged artists for a project that explores and celebrates community and heritage in Killanne. Working with residents of Killanne, the project will take a collaborative approach to creativity, that values experiences of and personal connections to the heritage of the community.
The project aims to build upon the established strong sense of community in Killanne, and contribute to a sense of placemaking.
The project will:
- Deliver a process of creative engagement that responds to Killane’s history and heritage, promoting community character and values;
- Respond to local needs and interests by providing a programme of activity that has multiple components such as workshops and events;
- Create a temporary or permanent artistic product relating to the heritage of Killanne that animates and adds character to the village. This may include (but is not limited to) exhibitions, performances, photography, film and music;
- Foster social interaction and inspire meaningful community participation in the creative design of cultural identity;
- Accommodate diverse needs of participants.
Artist Profile
The artist must:
- Be mid-career or established in any artistic medium;
- Have extensive experience and be passionate about working with communities and responding to their needs, in particular rural communities;
- Have a strong interest in heritage and history;
- Have presence in the community of Killanne on a regular basis.
Desired experience:
- Direct practice with projects that combine sports and art.
Applications are open to artists of any medium (architecture, circus, crafts, dance, digital media, film, music, theatre, writing, visual art, and multi-disciplinary practice and design of all kinds).
Project Management
As well as plan and deliver the project, the artist will be expected to project manage. Some limited project management support will be available from the Creative Communities Engagement Officer, the Heritage Office, and the New Ross Municipal District.
Timeline
The project must be delivered between February and October 2026.
Application
To apply, please the following to artsoffice@wexfordcoco.ie by midnight on Sunday 7th December 2025 and ensure that you put ‘Killane 2026’ in the title of your email:
- A detailed proposal of 2-3 pages setting out your approach to community engagement, and outlining what your vision for the project looks like;
- A statement outlining why you would like to lead this project;
- An up-to-date CV outlining your experience of working with communities, your experience of heritage projects, and your experience of project management;
- Up to 5 examples of previous work that are relevant to this project.
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Artistic merit and track record
|
200 points |
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Quality of the approach to community engagement and creative vision |
200 points |
|
Project management experience |
100 points |
|
TOTAL |
500 points |