Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers (BLAST) Arts in Education Residencies
The aim of the Blast Project is to provide students in primary and post-primary schools across the country with the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists on unique, creative projects. These projects are planned and developed jointly by the artist, the teacher, and the school, ensuring that each experience is tailored and designed to fit the school’s particular needs.
Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers
The Department of Education and Youth is pleased to announce BLAST Creativity and Arts in Education Residency 2026/2027 applications are now open
BLAST Creativity & Arts in Education Residency 2026/2027 apply online https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=YFK3hvCbGE2nlK37UAGLvJAzhLS8-ZNJq_oU7i6EdXtUNFdVMFJQTkszVDBMVkRJSFFBRFRQT09NVS4u&route=shorturl
The closing date for receipt of applications is 20th April 2026.
Please contact National Arts in Education, Tralee Education Support Centre for queries or support, at
Eligibility:
- All schools in receipt of capitation grants from the Department of Education and Youth or Education and Training Boards (ETBs) can apply for BLAST.
- Schools participating in Creative Clusters, Creative Schools, Creative Connections, I am Creative or TAP+ can apply for BLAST.
- Fee Paying Schools are not eligible to apply for BLAST Residencies. Schools that are not in the free-education scheme cannot apply for BLAST.
BLAST is an initiative of the Department of Education and Youth, under the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027. It is led by and in partnership with the 21 full-time Education Centres Ireland.
BLAST 2026/27 Application Form
|
Wexford BLAST Register of Artists and Creative Practitioners |
||
|
Sheila Forsey |
Creative writing skills, Local History story telling, Literature, Playwriting, embracing heritage into storytelling | |
|
Trish Middleton |
Visual Artist working mainly with textiles | |
|
Brendan Fahy |
Circus and juggling workshops for all ages | |
|
Therese Dalton |
Creating short films throuhg scriptwriting, acting,filming nad recording sound with a screening at the end. | www.youtube.com/wexfordyouthfilm |
|
Oenone( Nonie)Stafford |
Calligraphy, hand-lettering, mural art, illustration: bringing language to life and creating visual narratives using traditional and contempory techniques | |
| Caroline Bergin | Visual Artist | www.carolineberginart.com |
| Anne Manning | Clay building and sculptural technique. Paint/collage/found objects creating form within 2D/3D realm. Creating 3D/2D self expression and sustainable experiences | |
| Elke Williams | Trained Art teacher and ceramic Artist. Ceramics ,Sculpture and Mosiac. Harvesting and processing of wild clay for site specific use. | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wP6S26fT5pbghftJnZJtbUv5IKjX2jr9/view?usp=share_link |
| Karen Dempsey | Specialising in painting large scale murals and printmakingusing the creative process to foster inclusivity and freedom of expression | @kazartwex.instagram.com |
| Lynn Haughton | Reimagining ‘waste materials’ Mostly focusing on Fast Fashion, textiles and plastics. Creative thinking and materials exploration. Experimentation, process and fun focused. Creating textile artworks while learning new skills to do with fabric, fibre and discovering creative possibilities in textile ‘waste’ | |
| Mirona Mara | Drawing and illustration Ceramic and Clay work stop motion animation/video | www.mironamara.com |
| Helen Flanagan | Filmmaking: Using Storytelling, drama, camera and editing skills to create narrative films. Radio Making and multidisciplinary Arts includine Zine making | www.helenflanaganfilm.com |
| John Busher | Painting,Drawing,Printmaking,Ceramics/sculpture ,Installation | johnbusher.ie |
| Sheena Furlong | I am a visual artist working from my own studio in Kilmuckridge.I work on my own projects and commissions and also teach both adults and children within the studio. This includes holding an annual exhibition for the student.I exhibit both locally in Wexford and in the studio. | |
| Joe Brennan | Traditional Storyteller: developing storytelling skills and growing confidence to tell to an audience, with the help of storyboards, drama and props. | www.taletradition.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk5EGbcM-bE&t=138s |
| Peter McCamley | Theatre and Music. Storytelling through drama, music, fi lm. Songwriting. |
https://adpersonam-hub.github.io/peter-mccamley-portfolio/ |
| Becci Whelan | Dance Movement and Meditation | https://www.youtube.com/@2manydancemoves203 |
List of School Pairings 2025/2026
Artist Name |
School Name |
Roll No . |
|
Becci Whelan |
St Marys Secondary School (PP) |
63620 |
|
John Busher |
Bunclody Community College (PP) |
71620H |
|
Nadia Corridan |
Selskar College (PP) |
71680C |
|
Brendan Fahy |
Scoil Mhuire Tagoat |
17769M |
|
Aoife Banville |
Scoil Mhuire Ballyhogue |
17841R |
|
Therese Dalton |
New Ross ETNS |
20458M |
|
Anne Manning |
St Colman's N.S. Ballindaggin |
15962T |
|
Aoife Banville |
Castledockrell |
17519M |
|
Sheila Forsey |
St.Garvan's NS |
17612C |
|
Trish Middleton |
All Saints' National School |
14972R |
|
Becci Whelan |
Wexford Educate Together NS |
20333P |
|
Sonya Weston |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir |
20080M |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Ballymurn N.S. |
05070W |
|
Helen Flanagan |
SS Michael & Peter Junior Sc. |
20470C |
|
Lynn Haughton |
St.Senan's Primary School |
08221J |
|
Oenone (Nonie) Stafford |
Carlow Educate Together |
20295K |
|
Oenone (Nonie) Stafford |
Riverchapel N.S. |
15367F |
|
Sheena Furlong |
Ballycanew National School |
15420G |
|
Anne Manning |
St Iberius NS |
18824W |
|
Caroline Busher |
St.Patrick's NS Ballymurphy |
18510W |
List of School Pairings 2024/2025
|
Artist Name |
School Name |
Roll No. |
|
Helen Flanagan |
St Michaels and St Peters |
20470C |
|
Brid Colloton |
Our Lady of Fatima |
19266T |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Patrick’s NS, Ballymurphy |
18510W |
|
Lynn Haughton |
Monaseed NS |
15937U |
|
Sonya Weston |
Rathnure NS |
17707N |
|
Caroline Busher |
Ballyduff NS |
18687P |
|
Mirona Mahar |
Barntown NS |
17913Q |
|
Helen Flanagan |
St Josephs NS |
17181B |
|
Brendan Fahy |
Castledockrell |
17519M |
|
Lynn Haughton |
Clonroche |
06959G |
|
Sheila Forsey |
St Josephs NS Kilmuckridge |
14903V |
|
Kate Murphy |
Convent of Mercy NS |
11986N |
|
Helen Flanagan |
Kilcommon NS |
18033O |
|
Sonya Weston |
Presentation Carlow |
61141N |
|
Sonya Weston |
Good Counsel New Ross |
63610I |
|
Helen Flanagan |
St Marys CBS Enniscorthy |
63560T |
|
Aoife Banville |
Colaiste Eoin Hacketstown |
70410O |
|
Becci Whelan |
St Marys Secondary School New Ross |
63620L |
|
Trish Middleton |
St Marys Arklow |
61780A |
|
Nadia Corridan |
Bunclody Vocational College |
71620H |
List of School Pairings 2023/2024
|
Artist Name |
School Name |
Roll No. |
|---|---|---|
|
Sonya Weston |
St Michael NS |
17462J |
|
Anita Mahon |
St Garvan's NS |
17612C |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Kilnamanagh CNS |
13999j |
|
Nonie Stafford |
Scoil Naomh Brid/ Knockananna |
18470N |
|
Lynn Haughton |
All Saints NS |
14972R |
|
Sonya Weston |
Wexford Educate Together NS |
20333P |
|
Sonya Weston |
Carnew NS |
18242A |
|
Caroline Busher |
St Joseph NS |
17800D |
|
Trish Middleton |
Scoil Muire Rosslare |
168790 |
|
Noni Stafford |
Gusserane NS |
14900P |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Scoil Naomh Maodhog |
19890R |
|
Joe Brennan |
Shillelgah No 1 NS |
15359G |
|
Helen Flanagan |
New Ross Educate Together |
20458M |
|
Lynn Haughton |
Scoil Naomh Aine/ Rathgarogue |
16023B |
|
Nadia Corridan |
Scoil Mhuire Ballyhogue |
17841R |
|
Nadia Corridan |
Colaiste Bhride Carnew |
70790e |
|
Sonya Weston |
Kennedy College |
71660T |
|
John Busher |
Meansscoil Gharman |
68080H |
|
Brid Colloton |
Bunclody Vocational School |
71620H |
|
Helen Flanagan |
Gorey Educate Together Secondary School |
68386I |
List of School Pairings 2022/2023
|
Artist Name |
School Name |
Roll No. |
|---|---|---|
|
Anita Mahon |
Our Lady of Lourdes NS |
19667O |
|
Anita Mahon |
Colaiste Abbain |
71600B |
|
Caroline Busher |
Bunscoil Ris – New Ross |
20482J |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
St. Michaels NS- Borris |
17462J |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Piercestown NS |
18558E |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Kilnamanagh NS |
13999J |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Bunclody Vocational College |
71620H |
|
Heather Hadrill |
Carnew NS |
18242A |
|
Heather Hadrill |
Star of the Sea NS |
15367F |
|
Heather Hadrill |
Gorey Educate Together Secondary School |
20214H |
|
Helen Flanagan |
All Saints Carnew NS |
14972R |
|
Helen Flanagan |
Scoil Naisiunta Phadraig Naofa, Avoca |
18198A |
|
Helen Flanagan |
Ballon NS |
14837L |
|
Jenni Roddy |
Wexford Educate Together |
20333P |
|
Joe Brennan |
St. Annes NS - Rathangan |
19317K |
|
Joe Brennan |
St. Patricks’s NS – Crossabeg |
17017L |
|
John Busher |
Galbally NS |
17734Q |
|
John Busher |
Ballaghkeane NS |
146680 |
|
Lynn Haughton |
Bunscoil Loreto |
16145P |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Kennedy College New Ross |
71660T |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Scoil Ghormain Naofa castletown – Gorey |
17768K |
|
Nonie Stafford |
St. Catherines NS – Ballyhack |
18387D |
|
Nonie Stafford |
Monageer NS |
18308E |
|
Nonie Stafford |
St. Garvans NS – Taghmon |
17612C |
|
Nonie Stafford |
Cushinstown NS |
16673R |
|
Nonie Stafford |
Meanscoil Gharmain |
68080H |
|
Nonie Stafford |
Ramsgrange Community College |
91431Q |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Scoil Mhuire – Coolcots |
19739N |
|
Sheila Forsey |
St. Iberius NS |
18824W |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir |
20080M |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Ballyoughter NS |
10780L |
|
Sheila Forsey |
Scoil Naomh Brid |
18470N |
|
Sonya Weston |
Colaiste Eamonn Ris |
61510R |
|
Sonya Weston |
Kildavin NS |
18090D |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Marys CBS Enniscorthy |
63560T |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Patricks NS - Rathvilly |
17663T |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Aidans Parish School |
20003R |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Mary Secondary School New Ross |
63620L |
|
Sonya Weston |
St Laserians NS |
19315G |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Scoil Naomh Abbain |
17526J |
|
Colum Kavanagh |
Ballycullane NS |
17194K |