Réalta, the national organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland, is excited to announce its upcoming virtual event, Checking In 2025. This online gathering of the arts + health community in Ireland, will take place on Tuesday 4 November from 11am – 1pm. Supported by the Arts Council and the HSE, Checking In is designed to showcase examples of some of the most creative and innovative work devised by leading arts + health practitioners.  Open to healthcare professionals, arts practitioners and anyone interested in learning more about the exciting field of arts + health, Checking In is free but advance registration is essential. Click here to book: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/checking-in-2025-tickets-1851281957169?aff=oddtdtcreator EVENT OUTLINE 11am-12pm Part 1: Musical Warm-up with Alan Browne, musician with Réalta’s Waterford Healing Arts programmes, followed by leading examples of current arts + health practice, including: –  Tiny Theatre Adventures for babies and children with complex needs at hospital bedsides in Dublin, with Anna Newell, theatre maker –  Independent Evaluation of Art at the Kitchen Table with Alison Cronin, researcher –  National Creative Arts & Health Working Group: Overview and Update with Catherine Abbott, Arts + Health Manager, The Arts Council –  Cut from the Same Cloth: building trust and fostering new connections between women and girls from minority communities in Ireland and biomedical health researchers with Lorna Donlon, artist and Elaine Quinn, Manager, UCD Conway Institute 12pm-1pm Part 2: Following a short break, all attendees who wish to do so will have the opportunity to Meet the Presenters to continue the conversation with a speaker of their choice, and to network with their peers, in virtual...

Réalta is delighted to announce that bookings are now open for Articulating Boundaries, a continuous professional development workshop for artists working in health settings. Led by artist and art therapist Lucy Hyland, this workshop will provide a reflective space to support artists in developing a deeper understanding of their practice, make informed decisions about the scope of their work, and gain practical guidance on managing expectations. The workshop takes place in person at the Réalta Centre for Arts + Health, University Hospital Waterford, on Friday 10 October, 9.30am–1pm. About Lucy Hyland Lucy is a creativity and wellbeing specialist, exploring the restorative power of making in fostering self-awareness, resilience and meaning. She works with individuals and organisations to create expressive spaces where people can engage their sensory awareness, share their stories and build supportive communities. Through the art of weaving, she entwines the threads of personal and collective wellness to challenge the existing paradigms of care. Lucy interweaves her expertise as an artist, art therapist and arts facilitator to guide deeper connections to self, others and the environment. Booking information Venue: Réalta Centre for Arts & Health, University Hospital Waterford, Dunmore Road, Waterford Date: Friday 10 Oct 2025 Time: 9.30am – 13.00pm Workshop fee: €10.00 To book: Places are limited in order to make this a valuable experience for all participants. Those interested in participating should email claire.meaney@realta.ie by Tuesday 30 September at 5pm with the following details: – Expression of interest: Why you would like to participate in this workshop.  (50-100 words) – Summary of arts and health practice. (50-100 words) Further information: info@realta.ie / 051 842664 About Réalta Réalta...

Réalta is delighted to announce a number of upcoming arts and health training opportunities for artists, healthcare professionals, and arts and health managers. These events aim to inspire, build skills, and support best practice across the sector. Articulating Boundaries – Friday, 10 October For artists already working in healthcare settings, this programme will support artists to develop a deeper understanding of their practice, better decision-making around the scope of their work, and practical guidance around managing expectations.  Led by artist and art therapist Lucy Hyland, this professional development workshop takes place in person at the Réalta Centre for Arts + Health, University Hospital Waterford. Checking In – Tuesday, 4 November For anyone working in, or interested in, arts and health. Join us for Checking In, Réalta’s online gathering of the arts and health community in Ireland.  This event will spotlight some of the most innovative and impactful work happening across the country, offering insights and inspiration from leading practitioners. Experience: An Introduction to Arts, Health and the Older Person – Thursday, 4 December For artists and arts practitioners interested in working with older people in an arts and health context.  This intensive learning programme will feature presentations by some of the most experienced and inspiring practitioners working in this specialised field of practice.  Presented online by Réalta in partnership with Age & Opportunity. Réalta is the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland.  Réalta seeks to increase understanding and support for arts and health, and to embed the arts into healthcare provision in Ireland through training programmes; providing information, mentoring and advice; supporting networking, and...

“People living in Ireland have access to creative and cultural activity as part of a holistic health journey throughout the life course, supporting better health and wellbeing outcomes and enriching the creative and artistic landscape.” Vision statement, Strategic Action Plan for Arts and Health (2025) Réalta is delighted to welcome the publication of Ireland’s first Strategic Action Plan for Arts and Health (2025) by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (Creative Ireland), the Department of Health (Healthy Ireland/Sláintecare), the HSE, and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. This Strategic Action Plan represents a significant step forward in recognising the vital role of arts and creativity in supporting public health and wellbeing. The Strategic Action Plan sets out the rationale for a joint policy approach, and outlines the steps involved in building an arts and health policy partnership in Ireland, beginning with the Memorandum of Understanding in December 2020 between the participating bodies, before setting out its clear and inclusive vision and six strategic objectives: Policy – To articulate a joint policy position on arts and health in Ireland and ensure co-ordinated input to international policy making. Evidence – To establish a research and evaluation framework for arts and health in Ireland to build the evidence base for sustainable project design and funding. Capacity – To provide training and support to equip creative and healthcare professionals to work together to embed creative and cultural activity in the health service in Ireland. Delivery – To prioritise suitable projects or pilot initiatives and design sustainable delivery mechanisms for their scaling. Governance – To design and implement governance and reporting arrangements to support a...

We at Réalta, the national resource organisation for arts + health in Ireland, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Maureen Kennelly as she steps down from her role as Director of the Arts Council. Maureen’s decades of experience working at all levels in the arts sector, together with her passion, commitment and vision, make her a most inspiring, compassionate, thoughtful leader.  She spearheaded so many positive developments during her tenure, which have had a beneficial impact on countless artists and arts organisations, and which will be her enduring legacy. Maureen has long been a tremendous supporter of the work of Waterford Healing Arts Trust, now Réalta, and we wish to extend our deepest appreciation for her encouragement, her energy and her unwavering support for our organisation, for arts + health, and for the wider arts sector.  We wish Maureen every health, happiness and success. 02.07.2025 Photo credit: The Arts Council / Ruth Medjber...