Ballinamore Public Art Project - Call for Community Groups
Hand to Land and Thread in Hand
Ballinamore Junction Collaborative Art and Cultural Heritage Project
– Call for Community Groups
Hand to Land and Thread in Hand is an exciting art and cultural heritage project led by artist and cultural heritage facilitator Fiona Murphy, developed as part of Leitrim County Council’s Public Art Programme. This project explores Leitrim’s rich history with the flax industry in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, highlighting the connections between flax farming, linen craft, and household industry.
It features three key elements:
- A public sculpture at The Junction, Ballinamore.
- A series of workshops for 2nd and 3rd level art students.
- A community engagement initiative inviting local groups to participate in a creative journey inspired by the region’s cultural heritage.
Call for Community Groups
We are now seeking a community group of between six to twelve members who share an interest in creative projects and local heritage. Participants will have the unique opportunity to:
Visit Mallon Linen in Magherafelt, Co. Derry, a project developed by Helen and Charlie Mallon to grow flax and to preserve and cultivate flax heritage. |
Explore the history of flax farming and fibre processing in Ballinamore, where flax was widely cultivated from the late 17th to mid-18th century. |
Develop your own creative project, which may include drawing, sculpture, linen thread-making, weaving, or other creative activities inspired by the project. |
If your community group is interested in taking part, please complete the online form below.
Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight, Sunday 9th March 2025.
About the Artist
Fiona Murphy graduated with First-Class Honours from N.C.A.D in 1994. She has since been commissioned for numerous site-specific artworks, including sculptures and installations in schools, colleges, public spaces, and civic buildings. Working across a variety of materials—including cast forms, stone, lighting, stainless steel, and mosaic—her practice is deeply rooted in creating engaging public art. In 1997, Fiona earned her HDip in Visual Education and has continued to work in public art and collaborative projects, often partnering with architects, landscape designers, and engineers. She later pursued an MA in Art in Architecture at the University of Limerick, further refining her approach to creating works that engage and inspire, fostering dialogue between the artwork, the site, and the viewer.
For more information, email arts@leitrimcoco.ie or call 071 96 20005 ext 694.