The government has today (29 September) announced additional funding for the Creative Schools programme. The initiative, which was established in 2018, grants Irish schools funding to develop a plan for creativity and provides the schools with a ‘Creative Associate’ – either a teacher or an artist – to work with them on their creative plan.

This year, the funding has been increased to €3,100 per school, an increase of €1k. 164 schools will take part, up from 150 last year, with the additional schools coming from DEIS schools, i.e. those at risk of educational disadvantage. Creative Schools projects include initiatives such as that at Beech Hill College in Monaghan, which collaborated with sculptor Joanne Behan and held an arts celebration day last year that included student performances. 

The government has also today announced further funding for the pilot initiative called Creative Clusters, which sees groups of two to five schools joining in ‘clusters’ to collaborate on an innovative arts and creative learning project. Each school will this year receive an additional €1k to implement their projects. Previous cluster projects include five schools in Donegal working with local actor Maura Logue on a drama project, aiming to help students with self-confidence and resilience, while another project saw a cluster of two schools in Clare develop an arts and creativity project aimed at students with special needs and those whose first language is not English. 

The new supports see a total combined investment in both programmes this year of €3.6 million, an increase of over €700k. The projects are led by the Arts Council. 

Commenting on the news, Minister for Education Norma Foley said: 

The last few months have been particularly challenging for the whole school community. In these challenging times, it is important that our students are supported to develop their creativity and given flexibility to allow them to face new challenges, and to express themselves in new ways.

Today 72 schools are coming together to form 21 new Creative Clusters in an initiative which offers schools and students the freedom and flexibility to explore together new and exciting creative areas of interest to them. 

See the full list of schools below. For more on Creative Schools, visit www.artscouncil.ie/creative-schools. For more on Creative Clusters, visit https://bit.ly/3idO1uS

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Creative Schools 2020/21

REGION 1: BORDERS – Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo
Royal School Cavan, College Street, Cavan Town, Co. Cavan
Abbey Vocational School, The Glebe, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
Creevy National School, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Finn Valley College, Lower Drumboe, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Scoil Iosagain, St. Mary’s Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Scoil Maomh Chaitriona, College Street, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Scoil Mhuire B & C, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Scoil Naomh Brid, Downings, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Craigtown, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal
Youthreach Gortahork, Main Street, Gortahork, Co. Donegal
Castleblayney College, Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Convent Junior School, Laurel Hill, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Convent Primary School, Johns Lane, Killaloe, Co. Monaghan
Deravoy N.S., Scoil Naisiúnta, Doire Bhoithe, An Charraig Rua, Co. Monaghan
Inver College, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
Knockconan N.S. Ballyoisin, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan
Scoil Mhuire - Machaire Airne, Magherarney, Smithborough, Co. Monaghan
Scoil Mhuire B.N.S., MullaghCo. Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
Scoil Na Gcailini, Laurel Hill, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
St Louis Secondary School , Glen Road, Co. Monaghan
St Michael’s N.S., Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Colaiste Muire Ballymote, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road, Co. Sligo
St Edward’s N.S., Clarion Road, Ballytivnan, Co. Sligo
St Michaels’s N.S., Cloonacool, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

REGION 2: WEST – Mayo, Roscommon & Galway
Archbishop McHale College, Dublin Road, Tuam, Galway
Ballyglass N.S., Fiddaun, Ardrahan, Galway
Belmont N.S., Cloghan’s Hill, Tuam, Galway
Castlehacket National School, Belclare, Tuam, Galway
Clarin College Newford, Athenry, Galway
Cloghans Hill N.S., Cloghans Hill, Tuam, Galway
Craughwell N.S., Crinnage, Craughwell, Galway
Cuan na Gaillimhe C.N.S., Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway
Letterfrack N.S., Letterfrack, Galway
Merlin College, Doughiska, Galway
Our Lady’s College Galway, Newtownsmith, Galway
Scoil Iognaid, Bóithrín Na Sliogán, Galway
Scoil Mhuire Oranmore, Oranmore, Galway
Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna, Galway
St Brigid’s College, Loughrea, Galway
St Joseph’s Special School, Thomas Hynes Rd., Newcastle, Galway
Tirellan N.S., Tirellan Heights, Headford Road, Galway
Youthreach Tuam, Erin House, Ballygaddy Road, Galway
St Angela’s N.S., The Lawn, Castlebar, Mayo
Tighearnain Noafa - Ardagh N.S., Ardagh, Ballina, Mayo
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel N.S. Rooskey, Carrick On Shannon, Roscommon
Roscommon Community College, Lisnamult, Roscommon
Sn Padraig Naofa, Frenchpark, Castlerea, Roscommon 

REGION 3: MIDLANDS – Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath
Newtown National School, Doonane, Crettyard, Co. Laois
Scoil Phadraig Naofa B.N.S., Davitt Road, Mountmellick, Co. Laois
Cloneyhurke National School, Cloneyhurke, Portarlington, Co. Offaly
Gaelscoil Na Laochra, Sandymount, Co. Offaly
St Joseph’s N.S., Arden View, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
St Philomena’s N.S., Convent Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Curraghmore N.S., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
St Brigid’s Special School, Harbour St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

REGION 4: MID-EAST – Kildare, Louth, Meath & Wicklow
Confey Community College, River Forest, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
Kildare Town Educate Together, Melitta Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
Scoil Bhride, Lackagh, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare
Scoil Chéile Chríost Rathmore N.S., Rathmore, Naas, Co. Kildare
Ashbourne Community National School, Ashbourne Education Campus, Killegland, Co. Meath
Kilmainhamwood National School, Kells, Co. Meath
Colaiste Chraobh Abhann , Creowen, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
Gaelscoil An Inbhir Mhóir, An Tinbhear Mór, Co. Wicklow
Nun’s Cross N.S., Ashford, Co. Wicklow
Ss Michael And Peters Junior School, Hickeys Hill, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
St Catherines Special School, Kilmullen Lane, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow
St Kevins Community College, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow
St Laurence PS, Blacklion, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
St Peter’s Primary School, Hawthorn Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Woodbrook College, Dublin Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow 

REGION 5: DUBLIN
Ballyfermot Youthreach, Drumfinn, Ballyfermot, Dublin
Central Remedial Clinic, Old Nangor Road, Clodalkin, Dublin
Coláiste Cois Life, Leamchán, Dublin
Dublin North East Educate Together, Grange Abbey Road, Donaghmede, Dublin
Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, 4 Cearnóg Pharnell, Dublin
Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Leamhcán, Dublin
Gaelscoil Inse Chór, Droichead Na Hinse, Dublin
Getns Glasnevin Educate Together, Griffith Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin
Goatstown Educate Together Secondary School, Walkinstown, Dublin
Griifeen Community College, Ninth Lock Road, Lucan, Dublin
Kylemore College, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin
Lusk Senior National School, Lusk, Dublin
Old Bawn Community School, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin
Our Lady Of Mercy College Dublin, Beaumont, Dublin
Sacred Heart School, Sruleen, Clondalkin, Dublin
Sacred Heart Senior National School , Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin
Scoil Chaitriona Infants, Mask Avenue, Coolock, Dublin
Scoil Chiarain Special School, St. Canice’s Road, Glasnevin, Dublin
Scoil Iosa, Tymon North Road, Tallaght, Dublin
Scoil Maelruain.Senior, Old Bawn Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin
Solas Chriost N.S., Cookstown Road, Tallaght, Dublin
St Brigid’s G.N.S., St. Brigid’s Road, Artane, Dublin
St Brigids Primary School, The Coombe, Dublin
St Joseph Of Cluny, Ballinclea, Killiney, Dublin
St Martin De Porres N.S., Aylesbury, Tallaght, Dublin
St Mary’s J.N.S., Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin
St Michael’s House Special School, College Street, Baldoyle, Dublin
St Michael’s Primary School, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin
St Patrick’s B.N.S., Cambridge Rd, Ringsend, Dublin
Stratford National School, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin
Youthreach Transition Centre 10/10a Parnell Square, Dublin 

REGION 6: SOUTH EAST – Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford & Waterford
Ballinabranna N.S., Ballinabranna, Milford, Co. Carlow
Ballon N.S., Ballon, Co. Carlow
Poulacapple National School, Via Callan,  Co. Kilkenny
Scoil Mhuire N.S., Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny
St Patrick’s N.S., Strangsmills, Kilmacow Co. Kilkenny
St Patricks Special School, Kells Road, Co. Kilkenny
Tullaroan N.S., Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny
Gaelscoil Phortláirge, Ballygunner, Co. Waterford
Kilmacthomas Primary School, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
Boolavogue N.S., Boolavogue, Ferns, Co. Wexford
Bunclody Vocational College, Irish Street, Bunclody, Co. Wexford
Colaiste Abbain, Adamstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Coláiste An Átha, Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford
Danescastle N.S., Carrig On Bannow, Co. Wexford
Kilnamanagh Community National School, Oulart,  Co. Wexford
Our Lady of Lourdes N.S., 1 Hospital Hill, Bunclody Co. Wexford
Ramsgrange Community School, New Ross, Co. Wexford
Scoil Naomh Abbain, Adamstown, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

REGION 7: SOUTH WEST – Cork & Kerry
Araglin Parish School Araglin Kilworth, Co. Cork
Bantry Youthreach, Seskin, Bantry, Co. Cork
Bishopstown Community School, Westgate Road Bishopstown, Co. Cork
Boherbue Comprehensive School, Mallow,   Co. Cork
Cappabue N.S., Kealkill, Bantry, Co. Cork
Colaiste An Chroi Naofa, College Road, Carrignavar, Co. Cork
Coomhola National School, Bantry, Co. Cork
Davis College, Summerhill, Mallow, Co. Cork
Drimoleague, Drimoleague, Co. Cork
Kilbehenny National School, Kilbehenny, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Maria Immaculata Community College, Dunmanway, Co. Cork
Scoil Chaitigheirn, Eyeries, Beara, Co. Cork
Scoil Mhuire Fatima North Monastery Primary, Noth Monastery Rd., Co. Cork
Scoil Mhuire na nGrast, Belgooly, Co. Cork
Scoil Naisiunta An Chroi Naofa, Glounthaune, Co. Cork
Scoil Naomh Eoin, Ballincurrig, Leamlara, Co. Cork
Scoil Padre Pio, Churchfield Terrace, Churchfield, Co. Cork
St Colman’s Community College, Youghal Road, Midleton, Co. Cork
St John the Baptist N.S., Connolly Street, Midleton, Co. Cork
St. Joseph’s G.N.S., Convent Road, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
St Luke’s N.S., O’ Mahoney’s Avenue, Montenotte, Co. Cork
Sunday’s Well B.N.S., Strawberry Hill, Blarney Road, Co. Cork
Timoleague, N.S. Bandon, Co. Cork
Scoil Chaitlín Naofa, Cill Mhic An Domhnaigh, Ceann Trá, Co. Kerry

REGION 8: MID-WEST– Clare, Tipperary & Limerick
Barefield National School, Barefield, Co. Clare
Broadford & Kilbane N.S., Broadford, Ennis, Co. Clare
Fanore N.S., Fanore, Co. Clare
Lakyle National School, Lakyle, Whitegate, Co. Clare
New Quay National School, Mortyclough, Burrin, Co. Clare
Ogonnelloe N.S., Scariff Rd, Co. Clare
Scoil Chriost Ri, Cloughleigh, Ennis, Co. Clare
Scoil Mhainchin, Ennistymon, Lahinch Road, Co. Clare
Scoil Mhuire Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
Tubber N.S., Tubber, Co. Clare
Ardagh National School, Ardagh, Co. Limerick
Limerick Youth Services, Glenthworth Street, Co. Limerick
Mungret Community College, Dromdarrig, Mungret Woods, Co. Limerick
St James N.S., Cappagh, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
St Michaels N.S., Barrington Street, Co. Limerick
CBS Primary Nenagh, Summerhill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Cloughjordan No. 1 N.S., Templemore Road, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary
Killurney National School, Killurney, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary