The Sport Ireland Development Conference has been taking place over the last two days, presenting myriad opportunities on how different sporting bodies, local sports partnerships and other state agencies can come together to utilise the power of sport in a the framework of the communities in which we live.

The agenda was deep and the engagement deeper still with imagination and collaboration around every corner.

It has been a valuable opportunity for those on the front line of delivering physical activity beyond the high points of elite performance to share thoughts, forge new ways of working together and explore areas that are too rarely at the top of the agenda.

Over the coming days we will dip into a number of these, capturing a small slice of what has been put before the 300 delegates from across sport and across Ireland.

We’ll report on the session on male allyship, and bring you a conversation that went in a different direction than I expected with Dr Eric Lacey, as well as a visual round up of what was discussed and how the conference came together in the hands of Louise Burke, Joanne Kennedy, Cathy Kinnarney and so many more.

First up though is a review of a programme that I was familiar with through Chairing the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership and was given a main stage presentation today with Colin Sharkey and Sharon Kelly.

Creative Residency in Art and Sport was a collaboration between Dublin City Council Culture Company in and the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership.

It was, and hopefully will be again, an innovative and inspiring initiative that has successfully bridged the two seemingly distinct worlds of art and sport.

Through a series of residencies hosted across Dublin sports clubs and community venues, the programme ran from the darker days of Covid in 2021 and celebrated the power of creativity, movement, and community engagement in meaningful and often transformative ways.

The residency placed artists within local sports environments, encouraging collaboration between creators and athletes. There were four projects presented today reflecting both the diversity of Dublin’s communities and the deeply personal and communal stories found in sport.

Counterpunch explored the experiences of women boxers at Corinthians Boxing Club, with artist Sharon Kelly capturing their physical and mental resilience through observational drawing and dialogue.

The fusion of fine art and boxing offered a unique lens on discipline, strength, and expression. The outcome of some of the work she did is in the pictures above and below.

Mami Wata: Mmiri niile was led by visual artist Chinedum Muotto, and was a reflection on African women’s relationship with water and swimming.

Set in Sean McDermott Street Swimming Pool, it highlighted cultural identity, fear, empowerment, and the joy of community. It presented a compelling showcase of voice and visibility in sport.

Our Ríocht (Our Kingdom) celebrated the heritage of Kevins GAA Club with artist Timmy Creed.

This 18-month journey delved into Irish mythology, language, and local identity, merging oral history with physical training and culminating in a thoughtful and resonant event.

 

Rhythm & Ribbons was a short film project led by artist and gymnast Karen Aguiar, focused on children aged 7–12 learning rhythmic gymnastics.

It emphasised creative learning, collaboration, and joy, with strong praise from participating families who saw both personal growth and artistic expression in their children.

What sets this residency apart is its dual commitment to cultural enrichment and public health.

Artists gained the opportunity to work in non-traditional settings, while communities engage with art in new, relevant contexts.

Creative Residency in Art and Sport is more than a pilot or a novelty.

It was a bold reimagining of how cities can nurture creativity, community, and wellbeing.

It demonstrated the richness that emerges when the boundaries between sectors dissolve, allowing for new narratives and shared experiences to take shape.

Dublin City Council’s support of such an initiative is a model for cultural innovation with real social impact.

It ‘s success has led to a next stage of four artists being given residencies in four sport and recreation centres across the Dublin City Council area, including Sharon Kelly, and we await what will emerge from them later this year.

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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

A day of inspiration and I only hope we can capture some of the sense of possibility that was evident at the Sport Ireland Campus

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

We’ll be diving into other areas from the Conference over the coming days

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