Writer Sylvia Cullen was awarded an artsandhealth.ie artist bursary in 2020 to reflect on her 14-year creative writing residency at Killagoley Training & Activation Centre (KTAC) in Enniscorthy. Participants came from Wexford Mental Health Adult Services and were part of the Arts Ability programme, funded by the HSE, the Arts Council and Wexford County Council. 

Developing an artistic relationship with participants over this many years, a rarity in arts and health practice, has led to compelling insights and a rich body of artistic work, now captured in Sylvia’s audio reflection, Volcano Days in the Writing Room.

KTAC is attached to the former psychiatric hospital, St Senan’s. Sylvia's residency (2006-2019) took place during extraordinary changes in the mental health system including the closure of the hospital. In Sylvia’s words, this reflection is the ‘untold story of how, despite all the pressures of mental illness, creativity flourished and thrived in the shadow of what used to be called “the Asylum”.’

Volcano Days in the Writing Room by Sylvia Cullen

01 A Time For Hope And Desperation by Rebecca Moran

Bedside is an art project by Sligo artist Andy Parsons at the Inpatients Unit, Mental Health Services Sligo / Leitrim. In collaboration with patients, the artist developed a series of etchings for each bedside locker, as part of a commission for both male and female wards. Arts Coordinator Niamh O'Connor provided curatorial support for the work.

Ocean FM - Interview with Niamh O'Connor about the 'Bedside' project

The National Centre for Arts and Health presented the seminar ‘Music and Health: Promoting excellence in practice’ on 23 October 2015. The event was kindly sponsored by the Meath Foundation in association with South Dublin County Council, the Music Department of Trinity College Dublin and RUA RED Arts Centre. 

Professor Desmond O'Neill: Music and Health: From aesthetic support to formal music therapy

Conversation #1 Partnership and Collaboration
At National Dialogues| Arts + Health 6.12.11, Rua Red, Tallaght, Dublin

A conversation examining the challenges and opportunities, intrinsic and at times essential, to the development of contemporary art projects in healthcare settings.
Conversation led by Mary Grehan, Arts Director, Waterford Healing Arts Trust with:
Aidan Warner - HSE South Representative for Arts and Health| Principal Community Worker, South Lee, HSE South
Sheelagh Broderick - PHD Candidate at GradCam, NCAD, Dublin
Ann O'Connor - Arts and Health Advisor, Arts Council of Ireland 
Kevin O'Shanahan- Music and Health Facilitator with MusicAlive | Creative Arts Co-ordinator with West Cork Mental Health Services.

Conversation #1 National Dialogues| Arts + Health 6.12.11

Conversation #2 Co-production and Ownership of Work
National Dialogues| Arts + Health 6.12.11, Rua Red, Tallaght, Dublin

A discussion exploring the ethical questions around ownership of artworks and projects that are developed in healthcare settings, including the participant's perspective.

Conversation led by Nicola Dunne, Arts and Health Specialist, Kildare County Council with:
Katie Verling - Arts Practitioner| Participant in the Open Windows Arts and Health project
Caroline Peppard - HSE Mid Leinster Representative for Arts and Health| Senior Health Promotion Officer
Deirdre Walsh - Visual Artist
Paul Maye - Visual Artist