The International Fund for Ireland recently visited the Source developing rural creativity offices to learn more about the project and its aims. Martina Earley, Manager of Arigna Leader explained the project by providing a background, the aims, how it will be achieved and what the future plans are.

The strategic aim of the project is to stimulate growth & stability of the high potential and emerging creative industries sector in the cross border disadvantaged areas of Sligo, Fermanagh & Leitrim.

The businesses that will benefit are:

§         Craft design and production

§         Design (furniture, clothing, textiles, etc.)

§         fashion

§         software & computer services

§         architecture

§         the performing arts

§         advertising & P.R.

§         publishing

§         media (radio, film, publication)

This will be achieved by the following measures:

§         Development of creative Workspace facilities
Three Workspace facilities enabling a group of creative enterprises to locate their business in a collective environment

§         Training
A multi-layered Training programme customised for people working or looking to develop a career in Creative Industries

§         Regional Resource Centres
Three Regional Resource Centres providing information services and a Research Officer offering one-to-one advice. These will be located in the following locations:
 - Fermanagh Craft Consortium, The Buttermarket, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
 - Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, The Factory, Sligo Town
 - Leitrim Design House, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Catherine Ryan, Manager of Fermanagh Local Action Group stated: “The International Fund for Ireland are a key funder to the project and are essential to ensure participation of the target participants which are: Women, Youth, Existing craft & creative enterprises, Small farm households and people displaced as a result of the conflict. We are delighted to have their support and hope that the project will have long term effects for the future of the Creative Industries sector in the region. 

IFI recent visit to the SOURCE project offices – Front row, left to right, Deirdre Ryan, Denis Rooney (Chairman of IFI), Mary Southwell, Anne Henderson. Back row, left to right – June Murphy (Manager Sligo Leader Partnership), Anne Bonner, Martina Earley (Manager Arigna Leader), Catherine Ryan (Manager FLAG), Jacinta Freeman (Source Project Officer), Jackie Hewitt