A post-mortem examination will be arranged and the file will be prepared for the Coroner
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19 Dec 2025
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19 Dec 2025
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Niamh Eldridge and her mother Sarah Barry
Connections Arts Centre, a social enterprise supporting the disability community in Ireland, has announced the open call for its Connecting Artists 2025 Programme, inviting applications from adult artists in Kildare and across Ireland who identify as neurodivergent or are living with an intellectual disability.
This national programme is designed to support artists who face barriers in accessing traditional art education and resources, helping them advance their creative practice, exhibit, and sell their work.
The Connecting Artists Programme selects ten artists from across the island of Ireland each year to participate in a transformative 10-week online course. The programme provides a nurturing, professional, and inclusive environment, culminating in a prestigious exhibition at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
Kildare has seen past participants in the programme, including Niamh Eldridge Barry from Rathmore, Naas, and Jenny Stafford from Rathangan, who took part in the 2023 and 2022 programmes, respectively.
Participants will receive mentorship, attend online workshops, engage in demonstrations, and collaborate in peer discussions—all tailored to boost their artistic skills and professional confidence. The programme is focused on artists working in 2D mediums such as painting, drawing, and collage.
Miriam Spollen, founder of Connections Arts Centre and creator of the programme, says, “Our mission through the Connecting Artists Programme is to support adult artists who face challenges in accessing formal and informal art education. Since its inception three years ago, the programme has supported 30 artists with paid opportunities, including workshops, talks, and sales of their artwork. Individual art sales have reached a value of €14,130 a testament to the programme’s impact and reach.”
How to Apply
Interested artists are encouraged to visit www.connectionsartscentre.ie to review the application guidelines and eligibility criteria. The programme is open to artists from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Key Dates
For more information, visit connectionsartscentre.ie or follow @connectionsartscentre on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for updates. #ConnectingArtists2025
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