Planning permission sought for Mayo art workshop development

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ballycastle has submitted a planning application to convert a former school building into an art workshop space along with a one-bedroom apartment.

The proposed development includes the change of use of the existing school building and the construction of a 37.7 square meter single-storey extension at the rear of the property, alongside other ancillary site works.

This initiative is expected to align with the Foundation’s ongoing mission to enhance cultural awareness, societal vitality, and the economic climate of north Mayo through the visual arts.

Established to support and nurture both Irish and international artists, the Ballinglen Arts Foundation operates several key programs.

These include residency awards (Fellowship), educational initiatives (Schools Programme), exhibitions, workshops, and masterclasses.

Michael Ring T.D. has welcomed the announcement that funding of €13,090 is being allocated under the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme 2024 to The Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle in Mayo.

Projects funded under this scheme seek to enhance the cultural offering of museums, to encourage greater access to museums and to promote the use of museums as tourism resources in their locality or region.

The funding is for the Project: Patita Bourke Nicholson – An artist’s life in retrospect.

The project will gather and celebrate the work of Patita Bourke Nicholson, of Enniscoe House who painted family and country life in the late 20th century.

The exhibition will create the means to collect, document, preserve and present the story of a woman artist born in Ballycastle.

The exhibition and outreach events will examine the recent past and local history through the stories revealed in these detail laden depictions of the area.

“Mayo is a county of rich heritage and our museums collect, preserve and store materials of historical value and promote our cultural within our communities.

“The Ballinglen Arts Foundation has grown from strength to strength over the years and I am pleased that they have been allocated funding for this worthwhile project to preserve and present the works of this Ballycastle native, Patita Bourke Nicholson,” concluded Deputy Ring.