Art of Life

This project aims to normalise conversations around planning for end of life, death and dying using creative approaches for a soft engagement approach over  2024-2025.

Creativity can have a real impact, helping people to process and express emotion, maintain human connection and to make sense of their experiences.  This project will explore  a range of creative approaches, to facilitate these discussions.   Creative Cavan are partnering cross border engaging with Irish Hospice Foundation, Compassionate Communities, Cavan Age Friendly, South West Age Partnership, Healthy Ireland at your Library, Libraries NI and Cavan Library Service.  

An art piece has been commissioned by Kim Gaffney Art to represent the project and was unveiled as part of the project by Cathaoirleach Cllr T.P. O'Reilly.  A workshop with partners and a group of older people from Cavan Older People's Council and South West Age Partnership came together to decide this image which reflects the ethos of the project  and the story behind the image can be found here.

Death Positive Libraries have been developed in a number Cavan County Council's Library Service and Libraries NI (Fermanagh and Omagh area) allowing access to an approved reading list to support these topics.  The list of books can be found here:

Death-Positive-Libraries-at-Cavan-Library-Service-Listing.pdf (size 151.8 KB)

The creatives have formed an important and key part of delivery as they offer a different type of language, the language of metaphor – perhaps a non-verbal language, a visual vocabulary, which is ideal for engaging those hard to reach. They are socially engaged artists who engage in reflective practice and with great sensitivity and who have attended upskilling continued personal development to support them in their delivery.  If you have ever wondered what Art of Life is about and if the project would benefit you just take a moment to listen to one of our participants describe her personal experience attending this project.

Advance Care Planning day is 7 May 2025 with drop in events planned for 4 libraries across Fermanagh, Tyrone and Cavan.  See below for more details and contact each library for booking.

7-May-events-Jpeg.jpg (size 356 KB)

Further creative projects can be found here :Creative-Events-for-Website---2025-V1.pdf (size 71.8 KB)

If you have any queries please email

showe@cavancoco.ie - Sharon Howe or call 087 435 4826.

Creative Communities Engagement Officer

This project is funded by Creative Ireland - Shared Island and Cavan County Council through Creative Cavan.