Over the last two years, arts, architecture and theatre makers have engaged a large local community in activities and conversations towards a positive future for Bridge Street in Callan, County Kilkenny. Since May, storytelling workshops have taken place developing characters and narratives for the the street. This allowed for a local intergenerational community to channel their vision for a street facing dereliction, into a challenging and critical architectural plan.
Courtyard screen constituted the second phase of this project. Without significant public space on the street, it creates a new infrastructure for people to gather. The structure was built through workshops in wood carving, traditional wood turning and sewing led by Studio Weave and master tradespeople creating a weatherproof space in Fennelly’s courtyard. The new community cinema was opened for the Abhainn Ri Festival in 2016, with a curated programme of architecture films exploring architecture, activism and the relationships people have to their buildings and spaces. This new space will continue to be utilised in the community-led vision for the street welcoming new storybook contributions at all Courtyard Screen events.
