ILLUMINATE was a participatory public art project devised and directed by North-55. It marked Inistrahull Island’s history of displacement while reflecting on contemporary experiences of migration.

The programme was delivered by North-55 and the Inishowen Development Partnership. It included workshops that engaged residents and facilitated a direct reconnection with Inistrahull, the most northerly island of Ireland. The programme culminated in photographic works, a soundwork, and a film. The soundwork, ISLAND LAMENT was developed by Sarah Murphy and artist Rick Lowe from Houston, Texas also developed a residency programme. It was performed by project participants, including descendants of past islanders. 

The potential of this type of practice was explored in an international seminar CONNECT which was organised by the project partners. CONNECT seminar contributors included: Rick Lowe (Project Row Houses), Mary Jane Jacob (Curator), Russell Lewis (Street Level Youth Media), Sara Black (ProjectBase), John Peto (The Nerve Centre) and Declan McGonagle (National College of Art and Design).

Photographs by Kelvin Gallagher and Breedge Doherty

Further information

Contact: Marie Barrett, Artistic Director

Tel: +353 (0) 74 932 2870 

Web: http://north-55.com

Email: north55@eircom.net

Artform

Visual Arts

Arts Practice

Arts Participation - Arts and Communities 

Artists

• Sarah Murphy, Lead Composer and Musical Director
• Kevin Murphy, Music Facilitator
• Seamus Devenney, Music Facilitator 
• Tom Byrne, Music Facilitator
• Ailish Connolly, Photography
• James Woods, Film

Participants

• Malin Head Community
• Glengad Community 
• L.I.F.E Programme 
• NISCP / Carndonagh C.S.

Partners

• Project Row Houses
• Wall2Wall Music
• Inishowen Development Partnership
• Malin Head Community Association

Funding

In addition to the Arts Council Annual Programming Award, this project was funded by:

• Donegal County Council
• Inishowen Development Partnership