Creative Places Mac Uíllíam
In 2021 a consortium led by Tallaght Community Arts were delighted to be awarded a Creative Places research project award for Mac Uíllíam Estate and its residents by the Arts Council of Ireland. Creative Places is an opportunity for areas, which have not benefited from sustained arts investment in the past, to build a local arts programme with local residents.
Since the research project award, the Creative Places Mac Uíllíam team at Tallaght Community Arts has produced a range of creative projects for the residents of Mac Uíllíam Estate. All of these projects are led by our artist team but, as a Participatory Arts organisation, our main focus is always on encouraging and fostering the active participation of the local community.
What's Happening
Mac Uíllíam Family Day
The Mac Uíllíam Family Day took place on Saturday 5th July, on the green in Mac Uíllíam estate. The day also featured the official unveiling of the "Brighter Hues" mural, which was completed a few days earlier after weeks of hard work by the wonderful team of artists.
Our thanks to Mayor Pamela Kearns SDCC for officiating on the day, and our thanks to the community of Mac Uíllíam and everyone who gave their time to make it a special day.
Tallaght Community Arts and Creative Places Mac Uíllíam were delighted to work alongside Creative Connections and their team of wonderful mural artists. Their work has really brought the green area to life and has been met with resounding positivity from the local community.
'To the Power of 3'
A group of young participants recently represented Creative Places Mac Uíllíam in Tallaght Community Arts' Shared Island "To the Power of 3" project. ‘To the Power of 3’ was a creative exchange between young people from Derry/Londonderry, Tallaght and Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. The project utilised performance to explore the importance of cultural connection, diversity, pride of place, and what it means to be a young person on the island of Ireland today.
It took the form of a series of three residentials, where all of the participants came together as a group in the three home locations of the three creative partners - Tallaght, Enniscorthy, and Derry/Londonderry - for a range of creative workshops and rehearsals.
The programme culminated in the staging of a series of SOLD OUT promenade performances in the grounds of St. Columb’s Park House and Gardens, Derry/Londonderry in July 2025.
"Brighter Hues" Mural
The Creative Places Mac Uíllíam 2025 mural project entitled "Brighter Hues" is now complete!
Tallaght Community Arts and Creative Places Mac Uíllíam were delighted to work on this fantastic project alongside Creative Connections and their wonderful team of artists led by Kevin Bohan. The artist team have been working hand in hand with the Mac Uíllíam community to bring this exciting project to life, and the mural was officially unveiled at the Mac Uíllíam family day, which took place on Saturday 5th July 2025.
Cruinniú na nÓg 2025
Saturday 7th June 2025 was Cruinniú na nÓg day and, all across the country, young people were celebrating by hosting free arts events for the public. Our Creative Places Mac Uíllíam team got in on the action by performing their original production 'Rhythms of Us' which took take place in The Performance Space in Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Parthalán Place, Tallaght.
This performance was based on the fantastic work they did over many weeks of Beats workshops and Afro Dance workshops, in collaboration with NOISE Music South Dublin. Cruinniú na nÓg is funded by Creative Ireland, in conjunction with South Dublin County Arts Office and RTE.
Mid Term Arts Camp
Creative Places Mac Uíllíam hosted a Mid Term Arts Camp for young people aged between 7-12 years in February 2025. Taking place over two days in St. Aidan's Community School, the camp focused on Drama, Visual Arts, and Movement, and was facilitated by Sailí Áine Ní Mhurchú.
Light Up Mac Uíllíam
Light Up Mac Uíllíam Festival took place on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September 2024. It started off with the magical 'Enchanted Forest' in the grounds of Scoil Aoife. In the nine months leading up to the festival, artistic director Tom Meskell worked with TCA / Creative Places MacUíllíam artists Sailí Áine, Brandon, Paolly and Gary to create the light sculptures that made up the 'Enchanted Forest.' Many residents young and old from Mac Uíllíam, local schools and community groups worked with our artists to design and create their own lanterns featured in the exhibition.
Then on Saturday 28th September, it was time for "Promenade" - a co-production between TCA and SoFFt productions. "Promenade" was the culmination of a series of community workshops in upcycling, costume design, head wrapping, vogueing, contemporary dance, and DJ skills. An elaborate set was constructed on Mac Uíllíam Way, including a full DJ and lighting rig, and a fashion-esque runway for the participants to promenade in style!
Light Up Mac Uíllíam Festival was kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, South Dublin County Arts Office and Creative Ireland South Dublin.
To find out more about Creative Places initiatives around Ireland please visit
Creative Places MacUíllíam is funded by Arts Council of Ireland, South Dublin County Council, SDCC Arts Office and Creative Ireland
