Free Artist Residencies in Ireland

Áras Éanna (Aras Eanna)

Inis Oírr, Ireland

Áras Éanna offers an Artist in Residence program that supports artists by providing them with time and space to develop their practice on the Gaeltacht island of Inis Oírr, Ireland. Each year, up to sixteen residencies are available, including accommodation in a private apartment or room, a self-contained studio, and access to galleries and theatre facilities. The residencies can last from two weeks to one month, offering artists the unique opportunity to create new work in a culturally rich environment. The program covers return ferry costs, accommodation, studio space, and provides a stipend. Artists from all stages of their professional life, from emerging to well-established, are welcome to apply. Inis Oírr, with its dramatic Atlantic landscapes and vibrant cultural community, serves as a source of inspiration for artists. The selection process is conducted by a professional jury, ensuring a diverse range of participants. Áras Éanna has been hosting artists for over twenty years, fostering creativity and cultural exchange on this small, picturesque island.

Ballinglen Arts Foundation

Ballycastle, Ireland

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation, established in 1992, is nestled in the quaint village of Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland. This unique foundation offers the Fellowship Programme which welcomes both Irish and international artists to immerse themselves in rural Ireland’s inspiring landscape and vibrant community. Unlike typical retreats, Ballinglen encourages fellows to bring family or companions, facilitating a communal and integrative experience. Fellows are provided with private cottages and dedicated studios to explore and create, contributing to the cultural fabric of the local area through engagement with the community’s public spaces, shops, and natural surroundings. The residency’s connection with the community and the dynamic North Atlantic coastal environment provides a profound source of inspiration, reaffirmed by the permanent collection housed in the Ballinglen Museum of Art which features works created by past fellows. This collection not only enhances the cultural heritage of the area but also fosters ongoing engagement with the visual arts. Artists interested in the Fellowship must apply and are selected based on their portfolio and professional standing, with the aim of fostering both their creative growth and the cultural enrichment of the local community.

Creative Spark

Dundalk, Ireland

Creative Spark’s Artist-in-Residence Programme supports both emerging and established artists working across disciplines. Residents develop their practice in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with access to specialist facilities including a Fine Art Print Studio, Darkroom, FabLab, Textile Lab, and a Kiln Room. The programme emphasizes skills development, experimentation and community connection, offering opportunities to share work through talks, demonstrations and public participation. Artists can exhibit locally and engage with Creative Spark’s wider community and studios ecosystem. Technical support is available throughout, and studio spaces include shared areas with water supply. The programme welcomes Irish and international artists, with a strong regional connection to County Louth.

Greywood Arts

Killeagh, Ireland

Greywood Arts offers a residency program designed to provide artists with time, space, and resources to focus on their creative processes. Located in a historic Georgian house in Killeagh, Cork, the residency welcomes both local and international artists, fostering a vibrant community and encouraging collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. The residency includes accommodation in private rooms, access to various studio spaces, and opportunities to engage with the local community through workshops and events. Artists are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and embrace both successes and failures as part of their creative journey. Greywood Arts emphasizes the importance of process over product, inviting new work as well as the development of ongoing projects. The residency supports a wide range of artistic practices, providing a nurturing environment for creative growth and professional development. Through partnerships, Greywood Arts also occasionally offers funded residencies and letters of support for artists applying for additional funding.

Theatre in Palm

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Theatre in Palm Residencies offers a unique opportunity for emerging theatre artists to develop professionally and expand their networks across Europe. Hosted in 12 partner countries, these two-week residencies focus on collaboration, inspiration, and the creation of shareable works. Each residency will produce a co-production in various forms, emphasizing themes like social impact, equality, and environmental sustainability. Participants will receive travel, accommodation, and compensation. The program aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges and enhance the visibility of emerging artists in the European theatre scene.

Thoor Ballylee

Galway, Ireland

The Thoor Ballylee Artist-in-Residence program, hosted by the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society in Galway, Ireland, offers a unique residency opportunity in the historic home of poet W.B. Yeats. Opened in 2019, The Studio at Thoor Ballylee serves as a cultural hub, providing artists with a space for workshops, exhibitions, and educational sessions. Each year, the residency supports two artists for two-week periods in July and September, focusing on literature, creative writing, visual arts, textiles, and more. The program includes accommodation, local travel costs, and a modest daily stipend, encouraging engagement with local artists and the community through exhibitions, performances, and workshops.