ArtScape @ Ards Forest Park
by Collective

Ireland and its culture have had a significant influence on culture world-wide, particularly in the fields of the arts. Ireland is also noted for its landscape, its remoteness, its seascape and its lighting. Ireland has a long tradition of art in nature, especially as far as sculpture and installation are concerned and dates back to the early dolmens and stone circles of prehistoric times and Ireland is increasingly noted for its success and strength in the area of contemporary arts practice. From research, we are aware that Culture, Heritage and Landscape are primary drivers for overseas visits to Ireland.


Being cognisant of this and building on our reputation for culture, landscape, sculpture and contemporary arts, Donegal County Councils Public Art Program now seeks to establish an ambitious Flagship Cultural Tourism Project, unique in Ireland using the working title of ‘ArtScape Donegal’ in Partnerhsip with Coillte Teoranta, The Irish Forestry Board. This will be an outdoor interactive gallery, commissioning new work which will be the best of modern and contemporary Sculpture/Landscape interventions set in Donegal’s most dramatic landscape at Ards Forest Park, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. The proposed cost of this project is 1.5 million euro.


Artscape @ Ards Forest Park
will be a unique and extraordinary place that sets out to challenge, inspire, inform and delight the local, national and international visitor and will add significantly to what Donegal has already to offer the Cultural seeker and sightseer.


In summary the objectives of the initiative are to create a new “must see” outdoor visitor attraction for the region. The idea itself is both innovative and experiential; it will engage the visitor and use the natural assets of this location to provide a memorable experience.


It is planned that this project will complement the cluster of visitor attractions along the proposed Driving Wild Atlantic Route and allow additional bundling opportunities for product providers.