About the Residency

Chualainn Creative Residency

A programme designed for visual artists and writers. Residencies range from two to four weeks and are scheduled seasonally. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to optimize participation for each season. Artists and writers at any stage of their careers are welcome to apply, provided they are at least 18 years old by the start of the residency.

Our residencies prioritize studio focus and productivity, supported by the surrounding beauty of the natural world. Participants benefit from Advisory Sessions (if desired), peer-to-peer exchange, and an environment dedicated to artistic and literary inquiry.

Founded and curated by artists, Chualainn Creative Residency provides Irish and international creatives with the time and space to focus deeply on their work. Whether you aim to complete a body of work, refine your craft, or reignite your creative inspiration, the residency offers a tailored experience to meet your needs. Choose between a self-directed or more structured programme.

The Studios

Visual Arts studio

The Chualainn Creative Residency visual arts studio is a private, quiet, purpose built space for visual arts work.

Writers Studio

The Chualainn Creative Residency writers studio is a private, quiet space for writers. Natural and electric light, comfortable furnishings, writing desk, bookshelves, and printer. Wifi, power plugs, and extension leads provided. Access to kitchen and bathrooms.

Visual Arts Studio Features

Studio dimension 32.5 square meter (351 square feet)
Natural ventilation
Natural light / electric light
Entrance door L284.5 cm × 205 cm (L112 in × H81 in)
Wet sink and counter, hot and cold water
Workbench L208 cm × D 61 cm (L 78 in × D 24 in)
2 folding tables 183 cm (6 ft)
2 mobile Work Walls, White L244 cm × H183 cm (L 8 ft × H 6 ft)
Open shelving 13.5 linear metres (45 linear feet)
Cement floor
Adjacent kitchen, bathroom, shower
Wifi, power plugs, extension leads

Accommodation

Residency amenities include comfortable, welcoming accommodations. You will be housed in either a private on-site apartment or a private room in our shared artist house.

The Apartment

Located above the visual arts studio, the apartment includes a bedroom with one double bed (linens are provided). A small sitting room welcomes you just outside the bedroom for periods of quiet relaxation and reflection. Downstairs a fully equipped kitchen provides space for those who prefer not to avail of communal meals. A bathroom with toilet and shower are next to the kitchen.

The Private Room in Artist House

A private room in a quiet wing of the house with adjacent toilet and shower are customarily offered to Writing Residencies. The house kitchen is available, as well as a cosy communal sitting room.

Bicycles and kayaks. Nearby lakes offer opportunities for swimming and kayaking, while bicycles and hill or forest trails allow for exploration and rejuvenation.

Washer and dryer plus outdoor clothesline are shared by all participants. The grounds and gardens are available to all participants for relaxation and community.

Meals

Delicious, nourishing, locally grown or foraged food is a vital component of the Chualainn Creative Residency programme. We serve a broad range of the world’s cuisines from Irish to Chinese and Japanese, Italian to French to Middle Eastern and beyond. Our menu is a blend of vegetarian and omnivore offerings, but most dietary preferences can be incorporated by prior arrangement.

We believe sumptuous hand-crafted food prepared onsite in our own kitchen fosters creativity, well-being, and a deep connection to place. Fresh, wholesome meals provide the energy and focus needed for artistic exploration, while locally sourced ingredients celebrate the unique cultural and agricultural heritage of our region. In the growing season, much of our produce comes from our own gardens and onsite glasshouse. This holistic approach to nourishment aligns with the programme’s commitment to sustainability, supporting local producers and reducing the environmental impact of food production.

Participants make their own breakfast and lunches to suit their timetables; homemade breads and pastas, yogurts, soups, salads and fixings will always be well stocked. Sharing the evening meal in community nurtures collaboration and meaningful exchanges among residents.

Place as Inspiration

Chualainn Creative Residency offers artists and writers the gift of time and support for research and creative production within the stunning context of the Irish countryside. During your stay, you are encouraged to explore the wealth of cultural and heritage attractions in the area—sites that have drawn visitors for over 200 years. This unique setting continues to inspire creatives, just as it has for generations.

The Irish seasons are varied, and you will have the opportunity to draw immense amounts of inspiration from these during your Residency. Our staff will offer guided walks through the beautiful forest, lake and mountain landscapes, where you will be able to witness the shifting seasons. In the evening, meals will use seasonal produce, in a hollistic experience of time and place.

Furthermore, ties to the local artistic community provide creative interactions and opportunities.

Chualainn Creative Residency warmly invites you to apply. Here, you’ll experience the perfect balance of Galway metropolitan energy (an hour distance by car) and the serene pace of an idyllic wooded lakeside village. We look forward to your application.

Ready to begin your time at Chualainn?

Click here to apply for an upcoming residency and take the first step toward your next creative chapter.

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