Birr Creative Court ready to move to next step

THE exciting project, “Birr Creative Court” is ready to move to its next, important step, a meeting of the community group Birr 20:20 was recently told.
Representing the Arts (Creative Court) Pillar of Birr 20:20 Fiona Breen gave everyone an update as to where we currently stand at this stage of this excellent project.
For those who didn't know, Fiona reminded the members that the Creative Court will act as an Artists' Hub, “a space for artists to create in.”
She added that Offaly County Council carried out repair works a couple of years ago to stop a problem of water ingress in the building (which is the former Courthouse. It ceased being a Court in 2013).
Last year Birr 20:20 hosted three successful facilitation days for local artists to discuss ideas and get the artists' thoughts on possible ways of using the Courthouse space. These artists may eventually become the people who use the former Courthouse as a place to carry out their creative work.
Fiona extended a special thanks to Offaly's Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow. She added Part 8 Planning Permission has been secured for the physical development of the building.
The next step will be the appointment of Consultants by the Council, something which will happen in the near future. “We will be looking at drawing up a robust, sustainable Business Plan with the assistance of the Consultants,” commented Fiona, “and supporting strategies; and we will be examining where we can get funding from. This phase, where we will be planning the development and the running of the Creative Court with the advice of the consultants, is a very important phase. We will also make the building as green as possible so its running costs are as low as possible.”
Fiona thanked Michael Hanna and the other members of the Birr 20:20 Arts Pillar who had invested a lot of time and effort in the project. “I am confident that Birr Creative Court will become a vibrant creative space for artists to work in.”
She added that the Council has stipulated that it wants the courtroom to keep its historic appearance. “It is quite a substantial room and it has been suggested that the Courts Service would be welcome to use it again, if they wish.”
Gary Hoctor told the 20:20 meeting that he was worried that the rents which will be asked of the participating artists might be too high for them to pay.
Gary also pointed out that “funding and grants for the arts are precarious. One year you get them and another year you don't.” He added that art and commerce “aren't always the best bedfellows.”
Fiona pointed out that people often underestimate the talent and hard graft which artists invest in their works. She said that the festivals in Birr “are driven by artists to a considerable extent, therefore the artists do bring money into communities. So much of Birr is driven by the arts; but artists will always do way more work than they will ever get paid for.”
Gary talked about the three-year Basic Income for the Arts pilot which was launched in September 2022 by Minister Catherine Martin and is set to conclude in August 2025. Nine thousand people applied for the scheme and two thousand artists and arts workers are currently receiving a weekly payment of €325.
“A recent RTE programme about the pilot scheme told us that, because of the scheme one artist was able to access important services for the first time in years; that he had been feeling crushed by the cost of living before entering the Pilot Scheme; and because of the Pilot Scheme he was, practically and emotionally, in a better space. I would ask local politicians to please keep this vital scheme going and even expand it, open it out to a larger number of artists.”
Eimhin Shortt said Cush Wind Farm will provide a community fund of €250,000 per annum to be delivered by a local committee to go towards projects and groups in the area. The Creative Court could be a possible beneficiary.
John Carroll congratulated the Birr Creative Court committee “It has been a huge undertaking. The County Council has really stepped up to the mark on this. Wind Farm grants will deliver money to projects such as this.”
Gary Hoctor commented that the Trench Trust has committed €150,000 over ten years for the running of an Animation Residency within the Creative Court.
Gary added that they have €25,000 to pay a consultant to develop a strategy and approach philanthropic organisations to support festivals. “Mary O'Kennedy Consultants will start later this year.”
“I retired from OFFline in October,” continued Gary. “I was Chairman for 14 years. Unfortunately Rebecca Kelly is no longer operating the PR for the five festivals in Birr. It's a pity as she did a great job.”