Ireland’s Edge, the arts and creativity conference taking place as part of Other Voices Ballina at the end of September, will focus on the theme ‘The Creative Space’.

Beginning at 11am on Saturday 29 September, Ireland’s Edge – The Creative Space will explore how places on the geographic edge can develop and thrive in the future. It will look at how creativity, imagination and empathy are becoming central in driving growth and nurturing healthy and resilient companies, organisations, regions and societies.

The day begins with a keynote address by Eamonn Sinnott of Intel titled ‘What is Ireland’s Edge?’ This will be followed by Dr Norah Patten, Project Possum Scientist-Astronaut candidate, speaking about the conditions necessary for creativity to flourish.

Enda O’Dowd of the National College of Art and Design; Michael Murray, Innovation Manager at Hollister; and Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, President Emeritus at Institute of Designers in Ireland, will discuss ideas and creativity. Harper Laoise Kelly and her son, musician Caoilte Cooney, will also  be in conversation with Philip King.

Professor John Naughton of the University of Cambridge will discuss the theme of ‘Small Town, Global Ideas’ with Muireann Kelliher, Chief Development Officer of Glen Dimplex; Dr Sean Rowland of Hibernia College, Mary Lucey of Kerry College of Further Education, and Professor John O’Halloran of UCC will focus on ‘E-Learning and the Future of Education’.

The conference will conclude with Emer Mayock, musician and Traditional Arts Adviser to the Arts Council, harper and composer Úna Monaghan, and Toner Quinn, Editor of The Journal of Music, discussing ‘Music Culture, Creativity and the Intangible infrastructure’, chaired by Dermot McLaughlin, musician and arts consultant. 

Other Voices Ballina takes place on 28 and 29 September at the 225-year-old St Michael’s Church. Artists include Villagers, Little Green Cars, Julien Baker, Seamus Fogarty, Tamino,  Maria Kelly and more.

The Other Voices Ballina Music Trail will take place throughout the town, and feature Malojian, Roe, Paddy Hanna, Dott, Gaze is Ghost, Elaine Mai, Cherym, Jyellowl, Robert John Ardiff, Beauty Sleep, Ehco, Pembroke, Montauk Hotel and more.

For tickets to Ireland’s Edge, see here. For further details on Other Voices Ballina, visit www.othervoices.ie.