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ROADMAP THE CONFERENCE OF BIRDS PAUL ROBINSON STU
DIO AWARD 2026 RECIPIENT Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (TBG+S) announces Joanne Reid as the recipient of the Paul Robinson Studio Award 2026, proudly sponsored by leading law firm Arthur Cox LLP. The award supports an emerging artist to develop and focus their artistic practice during their Project Studio Membership at TBG + S. Working primarily in sculpture, Joanne Reids’ work often begins as an intuitive response to the materials, objects and spaces that make up our constructed environment. Reid takes interest in our desire to reproduce the natural world in manmade construction, and often works with materials found in urban sites, such as steel, plywood, timber and concrete. templebargallery.com SUPPORT FOR EARLY CAREER ARTISTS Great news for artists as law firm Mason Hayes & Curran launches their new bursary which will support one visual artist per year for the next three years with a secure, subsidised, self-contained living and working space in Dublin city, alongside access to studio facilities, production resources, technical support and mentorship. The first bursary term will commence in September 2026 and run for 12 months. Fire Station Artist Studios launches the Open Call today across their platforms, with a deadline for applications on 21 April, 2026 This bursary welcomes applications from visual artists from diverse and underrepresented communities who may experience even greater challenges in securing accommodation and studio space in Dublin. firestation.ie 10 THE PILLAR ROOM REOPENS The Rotunda Foundation has reopened The Pillar Room, an iconic Georgian venue on the grounds of The Rotunda Hospital, offering a multifunctional event space with capacity of up to 280 guests. Located on Parnell Square East, this historical central Dublin space is suited to hosting both corporate events and private functions. The Pillar Room also supports the work of The Rotunda Foundation, the official fundraising arm of The Rotunda Hospital. Revenue from hiring the venue supports The Rotunda’s vital medical research and development. Professor Seán Daly, Master and CEO of the Rotunda Hospital, celebrates the significance of The Pillar Room’s reopening: “We are delighted to see this historical space return to its original purpose… and we are deeply grateful to those who choose The Pillar Room for their gatherings.” therotundafoundation.ie Ireland’s endangered birds are to be the focus of a unique intergenerational performance taking place at dlr Mill Theatre from May 15-16. The Conference of Birds will see birds on the brink of extinction take the stage in the hope that humans will cherish their song before it is too late. A powerful performance merging theatre, music and visual art, this innovative project is by The Elders, a Dublinbased participatory arts group for older people, in collaboration with the National Concert Hall’s youth choir, Cór na Nóg. Audience members can expect a gathering of wings, voices, and stories rooted in the lives of birds from Ireland’s Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. This performance will run from April 19th to June 13th alongside an exhibition of Ireland’s critically endangered birds by Gerard O’Brien at dlr Mill Theatre. milltheatre.ie. NEW TRAD IRISH MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL Waltons New School of Music offers six days of immersive traditional Irish music tuition, workshops and sessions led by leading Irish musicians, taking place from July 13-18 2026. The Summer School programme welcomes musicians (aged 15 and over) of all instruments and skill levels to experience expert tuition in small class sizes with a supportive and encouraging setting. Along with over four and half hours of expert tuition daily, participants can also choose from a range of creative workshops and can attend optional evening visits to traditional pub settings around Dublin for further unique opportunities to listen, learn and connect. Acclaimed songwriter, sean-nos singer and multi-instrumentalist Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin will feature as this years’ guest artist to lead a masterclass and perform an intimate concert for Summer school participants. www.newschool.ie/waltons-trad-summer-school