Arts Week with Judy Murphy

The Through A Prism: Creativity and Disability seminar, held earlier this month at the University of Galway’s O’Donoghue Centre, celebrated inclusive art practices in Galway.

Hosted by Galway Centre for Independent Living (GCIL) in partnership with Galway City Council Arts Office, the seminar attracted a large attendance, as it marked the culmination of a multi-phase programme that had been delivered since October.

The seminar’s diverse programme of discussions, workshops and creative presentations focused on disability and the arts.

The event brought together artists, arts workers, disability advocates, students and members of the public who explored creativity, access and inclusion, via panel discussion, breakout sessions and a live, dramatic case study.

The seminar, led by independent curators David Joyce, Joanna McGlynn and Declan Gorman, was built on David’s debut production of the play A Personal Prism, in 2024.

David welcomed participants, expressing satisfaction with the strong attendance and the significance of hosting the seminar on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Mike Cubbard, who formally opened the event, announced that Galway City Council had recently approved funding for a full-time Disability Access Officer, news that was met with enthusiastic applause.

A panel discussion, chaired by barrister Lorraine Lally, featured Arts and Disability Coordinator with Mayo County Council, Damien O’Connor, and journalist, disability activist, playwright and screenwriter, Louise Bruton. They addressed representation, access and the evolving landscape of disability and the arts.

After breakout sessions, there was a case study presentation of David Joyce’s play A Personal Prism, which premiered in 2024, when it was staged by Declan Gorman Arts and Events, in association with Galway’s Town Hall Theatre.

This included an audio-visual overview of the project’s development.

Original cast members Matthew Nolan, Johanne Webb and Gerard Howard performed selected scenes from the drama, after which there was a Q&A with David and Matthew. This session was facilitated by Marianne Kennedy, Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Galway.

The Through a Prism seminar contributed to ongoing dialogue around creativity, disability and access, strengthening connections between community organisations, artists and academic partners, according to co-curator Joanna McGlynn.

“It marks an important point in an evolving partnership between GCIL, Galway City Council Arts Office and the independent creative team, with opportunities for further collaboration and programme development in 2026,” she added.

Accessibility was embedded in the event. Irish Sign Language interpreters Ciara and Shannon supported deaf attendees, while audio describer Mo Harte provided live audio-description and led a sensory integration tour of the building before the seminar.

Those measures ensured participants could engage fully and comfortably.

Pictured: Front row, from left; Mayor of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard with writer and seminar co-curator, David Joyce; Director of the Galway Centre for Independent Living Jack Callanan, and CEO of GCIL Philip Hendrick. Back, from left; Barrister and moderator Lorraine Lally; co-curators Joanna McGlynn and Declan Gorman; Galway City Council Arts Officer, Ruth Mulhern, and Arts Development Officer with Galway City Council, Heather Hinchon Quinn. PHOTOS: ANITA MURPHY.