Iron Excellence

Visual Artist.

Visual Artists Ireland is an all Ireland body for professional visual artists. It provides services, facilities and resources for artists, initiates artistic projects and publications and acts as an advocate on behalf of individual artists. The organisation was established in 1980 and has a current membership of over 1,400 artists.

Crafts Council of Ireland

The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) is the main champion of the craft industry in Ireland, fostering its growth and commercial strength, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality design, innovation and competitiveness. CCoI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland.

CCoI curently holds almost 1700 members in its register of craft enterprise. See also the Craft Search facility where you can find registered makers by name, county, product and discipline as well as samples of their work.

Ballina Arts Centre

Ballina Arts Centre is based in Ballina Co. Mayo, Ireland. For a number of years, much work has been done to develop an arts centre for the town. Last year, a major step was taken towards that goal when the old Town Council building was opened up as an interim arts space, offering the potential for exhibitions, workshops and other events to take place: the temporary venue has been adapted to arts purposes. Already there are plans for a purpose-built building, which will form part of a bigger civic development, incorporating local authority offices. Late last year, the appointment of a full-time manager meant a fully fledged arts programme can now be delivered to the people of the area.

Ballina County Council

Ballina is the largest town in Mayo with a population of 10,056 people (2006 Census) and was founded by Lord Tyrawley in 1723 but the settlement on the banks of the Moy existed long before the early 18th century, the original name of the town was Belleek or in Irish, Béal Atha an Fheada (mouth of the ford).

Killala

Killala, a former ecclesiastical capital, retains the old charms of past trade in the grey stone quays and warehouses of its waterfront and is is very rich in archaeological remains.