Blue Teapot Theatre Company on Munster Avenue in the city’s Westend has been allocated €25,000 from Galway City Council.

Blue Teapot, a stage, film and arts training company for people with intellectual disabilities, has been in its Munster Avenue premises since 2008 – the building was formerly Silke’s Fruit and Veg Market.

The group bought the former shop in October, when it also launched its Strategic Arts Plan 2023 – 2027 ‘Owning the Space’, which sets out the company’s vision for the next five years.

Blue Teapot requested funding from City Councillors in order to renovate parts of the newly purchased building and bring it up to standard in terms of accessibility and service provision for the intellectually disabled artists who work and train there.

The company has gained a reputation for the quality and unique perspective of its productions. Its most recent play, Into the Dark Woods, written by company member Charlene Kelly, was a co-production with the Abbey Theatre for Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture. Previous productions have included Sanctuary by Christian O’Reilly which went on to become a successful film.

“We are thrilled to have a permanent home in the heart of this special neighbourhood in Galway City and this funding will go towards getting us set up in our new home,” explained Blue Teapot’s Creative Director, Petal Pilley.

Owning this space offers the company the potential to contribute to the cultural life of Galway and the Western region through the provision of a new arts and disability centre, which Blue Teapot intends will be a hub and centre of excellence for ID theatre arts. The company will develop it in line with international best practice models.

Blue Teapot has worked consistently to radically transform theatre practices by telling stories through the lens of disability, paving the way for inclusivity.

Commenting on the allocation, Mayor Higgins praised the company.

“We recognise and appreciate the valuable work you do in our community and would like to wish you every good luck with your future plans for the building.”

Mayor Cllr Clodagh Higgins, is a member of the ruling pact of Councillors who determine Galway City’ s annual budget.

All at Blue Teapot expressed their gratitude to Mayor Clodagh Higgins and fellow pact members, Cllrs Frank Fahy, Eddie Hoare, Donal Lyons, Terry O’ Flaherty, Martina O’ Connor, Niall Murphy, Colette Connolly, Niall McNelis and Mike Cubbard for this funding, which will be a major help with its plans.

For more information on the company’s work and training programmes, check out www.blueteapot.ie.