Commissions, Collaborative and Educational Projects
2015
Working with Aileen Lambert on Children of the Revolution, a national research and performance project for the 2016 Commemoration which will feature an ensemble of traditional musicians and singers from throughout the island of Ireland are direct descendants of those involve din the 1916 Rising. March 2015 – November 2016. www.childrenoftherevolution.ie
Commissioned by Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ to conduct a series of place based mapping projects with communities in Fethard, Taghmon and Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford. Project involves fieldwork in relation to local historic, folkloric and intangible cultures. Findings will be published on the website www.aboutthisplace.ie in Autumn 2015. June 2015 to date.
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by Wexford, Meath, Fingal and DLR Local Authorities ‘Arts and Libraries Services’ to produce The 1916 Song Project. Produced in conjunction with the National Library or Ireland and ITMA, Dublin, the project sees the research and commissioning of new traditional songs in relation to the 1916 Rising in Dublin, Meath, Wexford and Galway. March 2015 – June 2016 (www.the1916songproject.com)
Commissioned by Carlow ‘Arts and Libraries Services’ to produce a body of films in relation to untold stories from in the county from 1916. The resulting films will be produced through field research within the county and films screened in Carlow in 2016. June 2015 - March 2016
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by The National Library and An Goilín Traditional Singers Club to conduct a traditional song project entitled ‘Man, Woman and Child’. This the 3rd in the series, will see seven singers work together on a concert and seminar series based on Irish Child Ballads that will be presented in the National Library in December 2015 (www.manwomanandchild.ie)
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by The Heritage Council to begin work on The Duffry Project. A project which explores the built, historical and folkloric characteristic of The Duffry area of North West Wexford. Project involves community dialogue and research and an official community walk took place as part of Heritage Week 2015. June – December 2015 (www.theduffry.com)
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by Wexford County Council’s Arts Department as part of their 2016 Commemoration Programme to produce Backroads to the Rising. “Backroads to the Rising” is a socially engaged public art project devised by Aileen Lambert and Michael Fortune, based on the journeys undertaken on foot and bicycle by individuals and groups involved in the Wexford Rising in 1916. Working with the support of local communities, they will research and devise four walking and cycling routes to Enniscorthy and plan and manage the event. October 2015 - March 2016
Commissioned by Wexford County Council’s Arts Department as part of their 2016 Commemoration Programme to produce a new series of short films based on the stories and accounts, folkloric and historic, that populate the minds of many people from County Wexford. The project will record many of the un-documented histories and stories surrounding the 1916 Rising and the effects it had on the county before and after Easter Week. October 2015 - March 2016
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by Bealtaine (Age and Opportunity) to conduct an all-Ireland traditional song project entitled The Bird Song Project which saw them both work with 35 older traditional singers and16 singing circles in May 2015. The project saw them devise and manage five concerts of traditional song throughout Ireland with concerts in all four provinces in May 2015. Close to 500 songs in relation to birds were sung in month of May 2015 as a result of this project. www.thebirdsongproject.com. Produced with assistance of the National Library or Ireland and ITMA, Dublin. Nov 2014 – June 2015
Commissioned by Waterford, Tipperary, Mayo and Carlow Arts and Libraries Services to conducted The Dresser Project. A project which documents the humble dresser in which Michael will film and photograph sixty dressers and their stories in the four counties. Produced in conjunction with The National Museum of Country Life, Mayo and the Folklore Department from UCC. May 2015 – May 2016 More info at (www.thedresserproject.ie)
Commissioned with Aileen Lambert by Wexford, Meath, Fingal and DLR Local Authorities ‘Arts and Libraries Services’ to produce The 1916 Song Project. Produced in conjunction with the National Library or Ireland and ITMA, Dublin, the project sees the research and commissioning of ten new traditional songs in relation to the 1916 Rising in Dublin, Meath, Wexford and Galway. March 2015 – June 2016 (www.the1916songproject.com)
Commissioned by Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ in Castletown, Co. Wexford to produce a new body of films and documentaries with young people about the areas local history and folklore. The intergeneration project oversaw the production of two films based on the life of Liam Mellows and a local collection of folklore from the area. October 2014 – June 2015
Commissioned by National Association of Principles and the Arts Department of Wexford County Council to produce an intergenerational project with pupils from Colasite Abbain in Adamstown, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in a new folklore collection and mapping project entitled My People My Place. More info at www.mypeoplemyplace.com
Commissioned by Wexford County Council (Gorey Town Council) to produce a film that documented the closing of the local town council office in Gorey in May 2014. A twelve minute short film was produced which was screened locally. May 2014 – May 2015
Produced a ‘Folklore on Film Training Programme’ with young people and adults in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown as part of a Leader Funded Training Programme which has programmed by the Community Department with DLR. March – February 2015
2014
Established the Schools Map Project for The Heritage Council of Ireland in 2014. Ongoing project which is based around their Heritage in Schools programme and involves working with numerous schools on mapping projects with pupils. More info at www.schoolsmapproject.com
Commissioned by Meath County Council to produce a new photographic publication based around the Hill of Tara. Project resulted in the production of a new body of photographs based on personal stories and connections to the Hill of Tara. Funded by the Arts/Heritage Offices of Meath County Council. Sept 2012 – September 2014 (www.mytara.ie)
Commissioned in April 2014 by The Arts Council as part of their Deis Award to conduct a follow on traditional song project entitled ‘Man, Woman and Child’ with the NLI, Dublin and the World Music Academy, UL, Limerick based on the Child Ballad Collection. June 2014 – Feb 2015 (www.manwomanandchild.ie)
Commissioned by Limerick City of Culture 2014 to present Man, Woman and Child in Limerick as part of the show Locating the Gothic. Presented concert and talk in World Music Academy, UL, Limerick. Oct. 2014
Meet – The Mobile Irish Pub, commissioned as part of Limerick City of Culture 2014. Project involved the production of a mobile pub with a Men’s Shed Group in Southill, Limerick City, and touring the unit to rural areas and communties in County Limerick throughout the summer of 2014. Produced idea devised in 2002 in colloboration with Aileen Lambert. Jan – August 2014. (www.mobileirishpub.com)
Produced an archival intergenerational folklore and mapping project for Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ in Blackwater, Co. Wexford. Project involves mapping various sites of importance in the village following tours and engagement with local scout groups and senior citizens club. June – September 2014
Produced an archival intergenerational folklore and mapping project for Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ in Blackwater, Co. Wexford. Project involves mapping various sites of importance in the village following tours and engagement with local scout groups and senior citizens club. June – September 2014
Produced a film and photography based project with service users from St. Aidan’s Service, Camolin, Co. Wexford. Participants have high-dependency needs and the project was based around their lives and the things which are important to them. Project was supported by Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’. June – August 2014
Produced an archival folklore and mapping project for Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ in Castlebridge Day Care Centre, Co. Wexford. (www.aboutthispalce.ie) September 2013 – April 2014.
Awarded a Creative Exchange Residency for St. Brendan’s Community School in Birr, Co.Offaly. Produced a body of documentary work with students based on song and folk custums and costumes. Completed work shown at a group exhibition in Collin’s Barracks, Dublin. Jan – October 2014.
2013
Commissioned in April 2013 by The Arts Council as part of their Deis Award to conduct a traditional song project entitled ‘Man, Woman and Child’ which will result in four male and four female singers conducting four concerts in the NLI, Dublin based on the Child Ballad Collection. June – December 2013 (www.manwomanandchild.ie)
Commissioned in June 2013 by The Arts Council as part of their Youth Ensemble Award to produce a body of multimedia based work with The Floating Ape group in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin. Produced in conjunction with The Grainstore, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council and The Mountains to the Sea Book Festival. Sept to Dec 2013. (www.floatingape.com)
Filmmaker in Residence at the OFFline Film Festival in Co. Offaly. Producing a series of short animations/films with young people in schools throughout Offaly and screened as part of the festival in October 2013.
Produced an archival folklore and mapping project for Wexford County Council as part of their ‘Artist in the Community Scheme’ in Castlebridge Day Care Centre, Co. Wexford. (www.aboutthisplace.ie) September 2013 – April 2014.
Completed a body of films and animations with older people from Grantstown Day Care Centre, Co. Wexford which looked at the area of craft and the homemade. Project involved the hands on creation of particular crafts by older people, whilst they also used digital media to create video tutorials and documentation of their activities. September – December 2013
Commissioned by Wexford County Council to produce a new body of video work for the JFK Home Coming Celebrations in New Ross, Co. Wexford. Resulted in the production of eight short films, two of which were broadcast on RTE. May – June 2013
Worked on a film and digital media residency with a group of young people from Cabinteely, Co. Dublin in conjunction with The Grainstore and Access Cinema. Supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. More info at www.canvasfilmclub.com or www.floatingape.com. June 2012 – Jan 2013
2012
Commissioned by The Arts Council as part of their Projects Award to work with a group of traditional singers on a traditional song and research project based on the theme ‘As I Roved Out’. Produced in collaboration with Aileen Lambert and supported by Bealtaine, The National Library of Ireland and The Irish Traditional Music Archive. Concert of completed songs will take place in National Library in May 2012 as part of Bealatine 2012. More info at www.asirovedout.ie
Commissioned in June 2011 by The Arts Council as part of their Deis Award to produce a CD based around newly composed traditional songs, which were written as part of The Wild Bees Nest Project. Project launched in An Goilín singers club in Dublin in February 2012. Produced in collaboration with Aileen Lambert. More info at www.thewildbeesnest.ie
Commissioned by Trans-Art Cavan to produce new video work entitled ‘Bud Macks Hill’ which centered on folklore collected from children in Cavan and Fermanagh. Funded by International Fund for Ireland. May – August 2012.
Conducted a week of film and animation workshops with young people in Co. Wexford in August 2012 as part of ‘Film Farm’, an Arts Council supported ‘Young Ensembles Scheme’. Managed by filmmaker Terence White.
Conducted a body of film and animation workshops with young people throughout September and October 2012 as part of ‘OFFline Film Festival’. Supported directly by The Arts Council and Offaly County Council.
Conducted a cross-generational folklore and film project with Ferns GAA club in Co. Wexford as part of Wexford County Council’s CWCAN Programme. Project involved the recording of stories from older GAA players and the interpretation of these stories during a film strand conducted with local young people. Sept 2011 – April 2012.
Conducted a film, web and animation project with twelve adults, in conjunction with artist Lorraine Walsh as part of Kildare County Council’s ‘Creative Well Residency Programme’. March to June 2012.
Produced a limited edition photographic publication entitled ‘Our Extraordinary Lives’ with participants with special needs from the Saoirse Training Centre, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in a permanent photographic exhibition, which is displayed in the centre. Funded by Wexford County Council “Artist in the Community Scheme”. Sept – Dec 2012
Participating artist on Kildare County Councils, “If I had an artist for a day” programme. Conducting film and animation workshops with various schools countywide throughout October and November 2012.
Conducted a cross-generational folklore and film project with Ferns GAA club in Co. Wexford as part of Wexford County Council’s CWCAN Programme. Project involved the recording of stories from older GAA players and the interpretation of these stories during a film strand conducted with local young people. Sept 2011 – April 2012.
Commissioned by Artspace Studios, Galway to produce a body of films based on the studios and the artists that use them. Project coincided with the 25th anniversary of the studios establishment. Funded by Artspace, Galway County Council and via FundIT. August 2011 to October 2012
2011
Conducted a project with Traveller women from Bunclody Co. Wexford as part of Wexford County Council’s CWCAN Programme. Project invloved the production of a website which featured recordings of traveller folklore, customs, song and language. Sept – Dec 2011. More info at www.wexfordtravellerculture.com
Commissioned by Offaly County Council as part of their Per Cent for Art Programme in which the artist produced a community based internet TV station entitled GroveStreet.TV. Programmes, films etc produced by local young people and adults in conjuction with the artist. Sept 2010 – Nov 2011 More info at www.grovestreet.tv
Completed a new body of folklore video work from Counties Donegal and Derry entitled “The Long Grass and The High Walls”. Recorded in five national schools over between June 2010 and 2011 and commissioned by The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny and The Nerve Centre, Derry. More info at www.folklore.ie
Commissioned by The Arts Council as part of their Projects Award to produce a new collaborative arts project in conjunction with a group of traditional singers, Bealtaine, The National Library of Ireland and The Irish Traditional Music Archive. Produced in collaboration with Aileen Lambert. Sept 2010 – June 2011. More info at www.thewildbeesnest.ie
Completed a ten-minute short film based on the role of grandparents in Irish and African culture as part of a commission from the Ubuntu Network, Irish Aid and the Teacher Education Department of Limerick School of Art and Design. Dec 2010-Feb 2011
Conducted a participatory film, web and animation project with young people in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin entitled The Floating Ape. Supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s and Grainstore. Jan – Oct 2011. More info at www.floatingape.com
Conducted a cross-generational film, web and animation project in Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford in conjunction with the group ‘Documenting Rosslare’. Produced films and animations which were presented on a purposely designed community based TV website. Supported by Wexford County Council’s CWCAN Programme. More info at www.rosslareharbour.tv
Conducted a participatory film, web and animation project with clients of the Choices Mental Health Programme in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Supported by Kildare County Council. Jan – June 2011. More info at www.itsalright.ie
Conducted a participatory film and animation project with the Irish Wheelchair Association throughout Co. Wexford. Supported by Wexford County Council’s as part of their CWCAN Programme. March – June 2011. More info at www.no-stopping-me-now.com
2010
Commissioned by The Arts Council to produce a new body of work in conjunction with the Arts in Health organisation Anam Beo throughout Co. Offaly. The new folklore video work, The Fall of the Leaf was presented throughout the county in May 2010. Artist also introduced new methodologies of working to the Anam Beo artists and established new website for organisation. Supported by Offaly County Council, Anam Beo and The Mid-Leinster HSE. January to May 2010
Produced Around the House: a limited edition photographic publication which explored the domestic and built environment. Produced in collaboration with students from Coláiste Abbain, Adamstown and Ramsgrange Community School, Co. Wexford. Funded by Wexford County Council’s CWCAN Programme and South West Wexford School Completion Programme. January to May 2010
Conducted a multi-media based project with a traveller girls group from Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Funded as part of Wexford County Council’s ‘CWCAN Programme’. Produced in collaboration with artist Aileen Lambert. September 2009 to February 2010.
Conducted a multi-media based project with a traveller girls group from Taghmon, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in the production of a series of short films and animations on DVD, including a collection of contemporary superstitions and beliefs from the participating girls. Funded as part of Wexford County Council’s ‘CWCAN Programme’. Produced in collaboration with artist Aileen Lambert. September 2009 to February 2010.
Completed a web-based archive project with the women’s rights organization Access 2000 in Wexford Town. Project involved training the group in the use of video and web-technology. Funded by Wexford County Council’s under the ‘CWCAN Programme’ and Access 2000.
Recorded and produced a collection of video works on DVD relating to contemporary superstitious beliefs from Cahir, County Tipperary entitled Eggs in the Drills. Launched in Cahir Day Care Centre as part of the 2008 Bealtaine Festival. Commissioned by South Tipperary County Council. April to May 2008.
Conducted a series of film and animation workshops with young people throughout Co. Wexford between July and August 2009. Workshops ranged from daylong to week –long and resulted in the production of numerous short films and animations, which were presented at the 2010 Fresh Film Festival. Funded by the CWCAN Programme and County Wexford VEC.
2009
Undertook a Per Cent for Art Project in Knocknacarra, Galway City entitled The Kitchen Sessions. Project resulted in the production of a new photography based publication and the establishment of a new community based association who were trained and equipped with a variety of multi-media based skills. The 120-page publication featured various vernacular styles of storage, construction, decoration and display from homes within the estate. Project involved the establishment of a domestic based film festival, entitled The YouTube Festival. Commissioned by Galway City Council. Sept 2008 to Dec 2009. [ www.thekitchensessions.ie ]
Undertook a Per Cent for Art Project in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo entitled Following the Whitethorn. Project resulted in the production of a new body of video work on DVD relating to contemporary superstitious beliefs from the area. Recorded in various people’s homes and centres for older people throughout the town and surrounding area. Commissioned by Mayo County Council. January 2008 to June 2009. [ www.followingthewhitethorn.com ]
Commissioned by Bealtaine and The National Library of Ireland to produce a project with six older people from Co. Wexford. The collaborative research based project saw the artist and the group produce an exhibition based on the libraries archive. Resulted in exhibition in library and on online. Jan – July 2009 [www.themagpiesnest.ie]
Undertook two multi-media based projects with young people in Bunclody and Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in the production of two alternative websites for both towns which feature writing, filmmaking, photography and animation. Funded by the CWCAN Programme and Co Wexford VEC. Produced in collaboration with artist Aileen Lambert. Jan to May 2009 [www.funclody.com and www.enniscorthyrules.com ]
Conducted a series of film and animation workshops throughout Co. Wexford between July and August 2009. Workshops ranged from day-long to week –long and resulted in the production of numerous short films and animations which were presented at the 2010 Fresh Film Festival. Funded by the CWCAN Programme and County Wexford VEC.
Undertook a characterisation project on film in the ex-coal mining village of Fryston in West Yorkshire. Research resulted in the production of a series of short films which will aid the re-generation plans of the area. Commissioned by Beam and Wakefield District Council. March to November 2009.
2008
Undertook a Per Cent for Art Project in Rosslare Harbour, County Wexford entitled Departures and Arrivals. Project resulted in the production of a new body of video work and the establishment of a new community film group in the village. The produced video work has been presented extensively nationally and internationally while the community group have produced and screened approximately thirty films using the equipment and skills left behind by the artist. Commissioned by Wexford County Council. Jan 2007 to Jan 2008.
Conducted a three-month Film Training Programme with staff from the Saoirse Training Centre, Gorey, County Wexford. Funded by The Department of An Taoiseach. January to March 2008.
2007
Conducted a writing residency with young people in Kildare libraries. Produced a series of newsletters entitled The Alternative Parish Newsletter, which were launched and disseminated in Riverbank Arts Centre, County Kildare and participating libraries. Funded by Kildare Library and Arts Services. Sept to Dec 2007.
Undertook a Filmmaking Residency with young people in Raheen, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in the production of a DVD entitled The Raheen News and the screening of the completed films in Raheen. Funded by The National Youth Council of Ireland. Film later won awards at The Co-Motion Film Festival. Aug to Dec 2007
Conducted a Filmmaking Project with young people in Co. Wicklow as part of the 2007 Wicked Festival. In collaboration with filmmaker Terence White. Supported by the Leader and Wicklow County Council. July 2007
Conducted a Filmmaking/Training Project with the Saoirse Training Centre, Gorey. Project involved the establishment of film production unit and the training of staff in its use. Project also involved the production of a DVD and the screening of the film An Alternative History of Gorey which was made by the clients. Funded by The Department of An Taoiseach. May to June 2007.
Conducted a Filmmaking Residency with young people in Ramsgrange, Co. Wexford as part of the Wexford County Council’s, Reel New Ross Outreach Programme. Project resulted in the production of a DVD entitled A Christmas Wish and the screening of the completed film in Ramsgrange. Nov 2006 – May 2007
Conducted a Filmmaking Residency with young people in Co. Wicklow as part of the 2007 Wicked Festival. In collaboration with filmmaker Terence White and supported by the Wicklow Leader and Wicklow County Council.
Recorded and produced a collection of video works on DVD relating to local superstitious beliefs from County Wexford entitled Half for You, Half for Me. Screened in various libraries in County Wexford as part of the 2007 Bealtaine Festival. Funded by Wexford Library Services. February to April 2007.
Recorded and produced a collection of video works on DVD relating to local superstitious beliefs from County Tipperary entitled A Walk in the May Dew. Screened in various libraries throughout County Tipperary as part of the 2007 Bealtaine Festival. Funded by Tipperary County Council. March to May 2007.
Edited and produced a collection of oral history on film for Ultan Cowley. Collection was based on the history of the St. Louis Order in Ransgrange, Co. Wexford
2006
Conducted a year long Filmmaking Residency with young people and senior citizens in Blackwater, Co. Wexford. Project resulted in the production of a DVD entitled BWTV and the screening of the completed films in the village. Funded by Wexford County Council. Jan 2006 to Dec 2006. Film screened at numerous youth film festivals since.
Undertook an artist-in-residence programme with teenagers in Raheen, County Wexford which resulted in the production and dissemination of a series of mock-parish newsletters in the village entitled The Raheen Times. Funded by Wexford County Council. July to December 2006.
Facilitated a photography project entitled On Loan... from Our House with teenagers in Monamolin Co. Wexford which explored the domestic aesthetics and resulted in an exhibition of photographs in Wexford Arts Centre. Funded by the Irish Youth Foundation. May to August 2006.
Undertook an artist-in-residence programme with young people in various Kildare Libraries where participants fabricated new folklore and recorded it to camera. Short film entitled Lies, Camera, Action was produced onto DVD and launched in Leixlip Library in December 2006. Funded by Kildare Library and Arts Services. March to December 2006.
Undertook a writing residency with The Roscommon Champion as part of The Art@Work Programme. Created fictional news stories which were printed for four weeks in The Roscommon Champion. June/July 2006. Commissioned by Roscommon County Council.
Artist-in-Residence for the Earagail Arts Festival, Co. Donegal. Worked with The Donegal News creating two full pages of fictional local news stories which were printed for two weeks in the newspaper. July 2006.
Commissioned by Donegal County Council and The RCC.
