More than 600 professional artists live in Mayo as new plan launched

Mayo County Council has launched its Strategic Arts Plan 2026-2031, setting out an ambitious vision to place the arts at the heart of community life and sustainable development across the county.

The comprehensive strategy, developed through five years of consultation with artists, communities, and stakeholders, comes as the county celebrates its growing reputation as home to approximately 600 professional artists and world-class creative talent.

Mayo has produced notable figures including bestselling authors Sally Rooney and Mike McCormack, Fontaines DC band members Conor Deegan and Tom Coll, and visual artist Niamh O'Malley, who represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2022. The county is also home to Irish musician Matt Molloy of the Chieftains and internationally renowned visual artist Alice Maher.

The new plan establishes five key strategic objectives: supporting artists through grants, bursaries, and professional development; strengthening existing venues while exploring new creative spaces; advocating for the arts' cultural and economic value; increasing access and participation across all communities; and enabling collaboration with national and local partners.

Between 2018 and 2025, Mayo County Council's arts services delivered impressive results, staging 1,787 events that reached 453,871 people and creating 860 paid opportunities for artists. Music Generation Mayo alone provided opportunities for 25,000 young people, while nearly €4 million was invested in arts services across the county.

Mayo is also building its international profile as a film location, with Film Mayo assisting 220 international productions including "Banshees of Inisherin," "Wild Mountain Thyme," and "An Irish Wish."

However, at a recent council meeting, several councillors raised concerns about the financial sustainability of key cultural venues. The Linenhall Arts Centre's dependence on councillors' General Municipal Allocation funding drew particular attention.

"It should not have to be relying on councillors' GMA money to keep its doors open," Cllr Harry Barrett stated, highlighting the precarious financial situation facing some arts venues.

Cllr Patsy O'Brien emphasised the importance of early arts education, noting that arts centres "are living on shoestrings" while providing vital opportunities for young people to develop skills.

Cllr Barrett stressed the lasting impact of encouraging children's artistic abilities: "It's amazing to see a child shine in an artistic capacity. When you're telling them at 8 or 9, you're good at this, that work is extremely important."

Other councillors called for expanded support, with Cllr Jarlath Munnelly questioning whether Film Mayo requires a dedicated full-time officer to maximise the county's film industry potential. Cllr Gerry Coyle reflected on the lifelong value of artistic skills, calling the arts "a door opener."

Cllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy praised the "immeasurable" contribution of the arts, noting that Mayo's landscape provides perfect inspiration for artists, while calling for more affordable workspaces to support the creative community.

The Strategic Arts Plan emphasises that supporting and championing the arts enriches quality of life for residents and visitors alike while contributing to Mayo's cultural and economic vitality. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme