What if We Were Brilliant?
Brilliant Ballybunion was delighted to welcome Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Catherine Connolly and Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan and 500 guests to Ballybunion on Friday 30th January. Both attended ‘What if We Were Brilliant?’, a celebration event to mark the culmination of this dynamic, community-led, creative climate action initiative. Over the last two years the Brilliant Ballybunion group has been focusing on growing food, being creative and protecting nature.
This packed event featured talks, films and artworks by artist Lisa Fingleton and community collaborators, as well as the launch of a reflective learning brief and an inspiring new book : What If We Were Brilliant?.
Antoinette O Sullivan and Rena Blake formally presented the President with the book. She had brought her own book with her which she had read twice through and she told us that she found the book to be full of inspiration. She said it was also now full of her ‘scribbles and notes’: She added:
There is no place in our world for them and us. There is no place in our world for a division of us from nature. Our planet will not be saved. There are infinite possibilities for the future if we work together and this beautiful, beautifully produced, beautifully presented book is the starting point for me and the source of inspiration.
According to President Connolly:
“Brilliant Ballybunion is a deeply inspiring project which shows how communities can lead the way in growing food, being creative and protecting nature all at the same time. It is a wonderful example of how communities are leading the transformational change which is needed to build sustainable communities and a sustainable environment. As President of Ireland, may I commend and thank all those involved for their work to date, and encourage both Brilliant Ballybunion and other communities like them to continue to inspire all of us with what is possible to achieve when local people come together to tackle the interacting crises which challenge us all.”
Lisa Fingleton, the project artist says; “It has been brilliant to see the power of the imagination and creativity. We are delighted to have created a beautiful new book titled ‘What if We Were Brilliant?’, which documents our journey over the last two years. It is so full of hope and potential. The book was written by the project team and other contributors. It was designed by Stephanie Sheahan and published by The Barna Way”.
The programme also included a live performance of newly commissioned music by local singer-songwriter Sailhymn. Speaking about the event, project manager Grainne Toomey sais;
“We are so proud of our community and all the commitment that everyone has shown for the last two years. This is wonderful recognition the community and the work of Brilliant Ballybunion, and the newly formed Ballybunion Nature Group, The atmosphere at the event was amazing”.
Speaking about the project, Tania Banotti, Director of Creative Ireland says; “What is truly brilliant about this project is the joy and positivity it exudes, not just within the community of Ballybunion but throughout the other spaces and communities it connects with”.
We are very grateful to Creative Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for supporting this initiative through the Creative Climate Action Fund.
Project website: www.brilliantballybunion.com
