Anna King

22/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Ballindoon House for ARRIVAL.

Together, we explored the landscape through a series of contemplative walks, following pathways shaped by sightlines, changing perspectives and expansive views across Lough Arrow and the surrounding landscape.

It was a wonderful day of observation, conversation, creativity and connection.

The focus now turns towards our exhibition, where new work by 16 artists, writers and makers will be brought together in response to this remarkable landscape.

Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of works in progress and reflections from the residency.

Follow along as ARRIVAL unfolds.

DATE for the Diary:

ARRIVAL Art & Heritage Exhibition
Sunday 2nd August, 2pm - 3.30pm
Edmondstown House, Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival

Funded by the National Built Heritage Service &
Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival




More details over on my website: www.annaking.ie/ballindoon-house

17/06/2026

Hi everyone, 2 places are still available for the Ballindoon Field trip. If anybody is interested, please see details below.

ARRIVAL: Three Approaches to the Historic Designed Landscape of Ballindoon House

Multidisciplinary artist Anna King is delighted to invite a small group of artists, writers, musicians, dancers, painters and makers from Ballaghaderreen and the surrounding region to join her for ARRIVAL, a site-responsive field workshop at Ballindoon House, Co. Sligo, on Saturday 20th June 2026.

A complimentary coach will depart from Ballaghaderreen Cathedral at 10am.

Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to sketch, write, photograph, record sounds, make notes, or gather material in ways that reflect their own creative practice.

The project culminates in a public art and heritage exhibition (including selected works by workshop participants) at Edmondstown House, in association with the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival on 2nd August 2026.

Developed as part of ARRIVAL, an artist residency exploring the historic designed landscape of Ballindoon House, the workshop will unfold through walking, observation, sensory engagement and creative response.

Lots more details at https://www.annaking.ie/ballindoon-house/workshop
No charge to attend.
Photograph used with permission

ARRIVAL is funded by (NIAH) the National Built Heritage Service and the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival. Running from March to September 2026, the residency explores Ballindoon House through walking, visual art, poetic prose, sound, mapping and engagement with the site’s historical and archival material.

Creative Places Ballaghaderreen Ballaghaderreen Past and Present Ballaghaderreen Community Art Group Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival Edmondstown House

Artist Residency: Ballindoon House, on the shores of Lough Arrow

15/06/2026

Voices from the Plots

One of the most rewarding aspects of 'The Well Gathering' last Saturday was listening to local residents share their stories, memories and personal reflections about the Plots and Spring Well in Ballaghaderreen.

These conversations offered a glimpse into a living heritage shaped by generations of people: childhood adventures, railway memories, community gardens, local characters and the everyday experiences that make a place meaningful.

Participants also contributed ideas and inspiration for the inscription that will be carved into the Plots new public artwork.

A selection of these recordings is now available to listen to on Anna King's website under Voices from the Plots.

"It was a privilege and sheer happiness to grow up on Station Road." Margaret Garvey.
Full audios via:
www.annaking.ie/ballaghaderreen-the-plots/voices-from-the-plots

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and memories.

Funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen.



Roscommon County Council Memento Mori Stonework Ballaghaderreen Past and Present Creative Places Ballaghaderreen Joe Egan Ballaghaderreen Community Art Group

10/06/2026

Members of the community are being invited to help shape a new permanent public artwork for the Plots in Ballaghaderreen. The Well Gathering will take place at the Community Resource Centre, The Shambles, Ballaghaderreen, on Saturday, June 13, at 2 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to meet

07/06/2026

'The Well Gathering' - You are invited!

Saturday 13th June, 2pm
The Shambles, Ballaghaderreen.

Meet the artists behind 'The Well Gathering' and help shape the inscription that will become part of Ballaghaderreen's newest public artwork for the Plots, Ballaghaderreen.

Participants will be invited to share thoughts, memories and reflections about The Plots, ensuring that the sculpture carries something of the community's voice into the future.

'The Well Gathering' is a public art project by traditional stonemason Dominic Keogh and multidisciplinary artist Anna King.

It is funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen.

Contact: [email protected] / or view more details at:
www.annaking.ie/ballaghaderreen-the-plots



Roscommon County Council Memento Mori Stonework Ballaghaderreen Community Art Group Ballaghaderreen Past and Present Ballaghaderreen Mens Shed

15/04/2026

A wonderful afternoon spent sharing ideas and walking the site of our new public art commission: 'The Well Gathering', at the Plots, Ballaghaderreen.

This collaborative project brings together traditional stonemason Dominic Keogh Memento Mori Stonework
and multidisciplinary artist Anna King
with support from public artist mentor Cathal McCarthy

By bringing together sculpture, storytelling and community engagement, 'The Well Gathering' complements the wider Plots Town Park development, funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen.

✍️ ANNOUNCEMENT: Members of the Ballagh community are warmly invited to share stories, family memories, and recollections of The Plots and Spring Well. To contribute, please contact [email protected]

There is also a lovely feature in the Roscommon Herald with more details on the project. Roscommon Herald or check out Anna's online dairy: https://www.annaking.ie/ballaghaderreen-the-plots

Follow along if you would like to keep updated with developments. ❤️

irishhistory

15/04/2026

Great piece in Roscommon Herald about our new public art commission in Ballaghaderreen.

The Spring Well and the Plots are linked to key figures in Ballaghaderreen’s history

02/04/2026

Voices from The Plots: Joe Egan

Anna sits down with Joe Egan, Acting Chairperson of Ballaghaderreen Town Team, for a cup of tea and conversation.

They chat about the past, present and future of The Plots.

Joe recalls how the space was once connected to The Secret Village, a mystical, eclectic music festival. He also touches on its links to traditional cures, herbal knowledge and local folklore, and considers how these threads might inform a future biodiversity project.

Click below to listen to our conversation.
https://www.annaking.ie/ballaghaderreen-the-plots/voices

'Voices from the Plots' is a series of conversations inspired by 'The Well Gathering', a permanent public artwork and community engagement project by traditional stonemason Dominic Keogh Memento Mori Stonework and multidisciplinary artist Anna King.

If you have any stories, photographs or memories of the Well and Plots, please email [email protected]

By bringing together sculpture, storytelling and community engagement, 'The Well Gathering' complements the wider Plots Town Park development, funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen.

The project sits within the broader initiative ‘Enabling the Potential of the Ballaghaderreen Plots’, which is transforming this historic backland into a living community resource.

Creative Places Ballaghaderreen Ballaghaderreen Past and Present Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Roscommon County Council Ballaghaderreen May Fair Ballaghaderreen Mens Shed Joe Egan Ballaghaderreen TownTeam Ballaghaderreen Women's Shed Page

29/03/2026

Announcing ‘The Well Gathering’

A hidden network of gardens, pathways and a historic well lies at the heart of Ballaghaderreen's Plots.

This unique townscape forms the inspiration for a new public art and community engagement project, by multidisciplinary artists Dominic Keogh Memento Mori Stonework & Anna King

Anna leads the research, writing, image-making and public engagement, while Dominic will hand-carve a permanent public artwork for the site using native Irish limestone.

Alongside the development of the artwork, a reflective online diary will trace the project as it unfolds, gathering fragments of research, process, and a growing collection of images, sound and video.

To meet the artists and hear more about their approach to the work visit:
www.annaking.ie/ballaghaderreen-the-plots/public-art

This commission forms part of the wider Plots Town Park development, funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen, under Enabling the Potential of the Ballaghaderreen Plots.



Image 1. Photo by Joanna Hopkins
Image 2 - by Anna King

Creative Places Ballaghaderreen Ballaghaderreen May Fair Ballaghaderreen Women's Shed Page Ballaghaderreen Mens Shed Ballaghaderreen Community Art Group Ballaghaderreen Past and Present Roscommon County Council