IRISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS  ACADAMH MÍNEALAÍNE NA hEIREANN  This campaign seeks to establish an Academy of Fine Arts in the GPO on O’Connell Street in Dublin.   This proposal is not only for the creation of a new educational institution, one that will revolutionise art education in Ireland, but also to catalyse the renewal of O’Connell Street—transforming it from a symbol of neglect into a distinguished civic space: a central avenue worthy of the Hibernian Metropolis, the capital of the Gaelic world, that can be recognised internationally among the great boulevards of the world.  The establishment of an Academy of Fine Arts will give to Ireland three profound and tangible benefits of enduring value:  1.     It will restore life, colour and joy to O’Connell Street, transforming it into a vibrant centre of learning, culture, and civic pride. In doing so, it will act as a catalyst for the renewal of that part north inner city—an area that has suffered years of neglect.  2.     It will redefine art education in Ireland, offering an alternative model rooted in fundamental transferrable skills, the principles of beauty, and the cultivation original thought. This skills-led approach will provide a more comprehensive and balanced education than that currently available in our existing fine art colleges. 3.     It will give Ireland an institution that will stand as a symbol of our national pride and our national identity, enabling Ireland to take its rightful place among the great nations of Europe, many of whom have had Academies of Fine Arts for hundreds of years.  Why do we need an Academy of Fine Arts? In Ireland, the standard of Fine Art education often falls short, failing both individual students, and society at large. Fundamental skills are neglected, as are the principles of beauty, and graduates often emerge from their studies with a distorted sense of what art actually is. Over the last three generations, fine art education has been undermined by a narrow contemporary art ethos,  the result is a system that fails to nurture skill, insight or the pursuit of beauty. It is time for a new model, an Academy of Fine Arts would provide exactly that.  An Academy of Fine Arts in the GPO would offer third level training in drawing, painting, sculpture and architecture. Its curriculum would be grounded in a clear philosophical foundation, defining what art is and what it takes to train an artist.   The Academy will offer training that draws inspiration from Europe’s finest institutions, while honouring our indigenous culture. It will honour the masters of the past while embracing new ideas and technologies, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the future of art. The Academy will train the hand, the mind and the eye with equal emphasis and rigour. It will produce graduates that are skilled, insightful, enlightened, and schooled in the principles of beauty. They will have a clear conception of what an artist is, the role of the artist in society, and what they must aspire to in order to achieve greatness in their work. An Academy could be established with a modest initial investment, one that would repay itself many times over, for generations to come. It would bring vitality and colour to O'Connell Street, becoming a uniquely Irish institution, enriching and strengthening our culture for everyone who lives in Ireland.  Ireland has often stood apart from the great artistic movements enjoyed by the rest of Europe down through the centuries. It has left us without a strong tradition of visual culture. Yet today, we have both the talent and the resources to spark a renaissance of our own.  Instead, we have been drifting backwards, undervaluing the importance of beauty, artistry and insightful design in our art and public places. Now is the time to move forward again. Now is the time to restore the primacy of skill and craftsmanship, to once again pursue beauty with rigor and imagination, and to honour original thought and the value of our shared art-historical heritage. The establishment of an Academy would signal the dawn of a distinctly Irish renaissance, a bold cultural awakening and an enlightenment of our own making, standing as a beacon for a flourishing of art and thought for generations to come.

The Newpark Academy of Music has been providing musical experience and education for neigh on 45yrs. The academ  has educated generations of musicians. It is to important as a high quality community based resource to be allowed to slip away.

Increase fines for companies and businesses who pollute our waterways and endanger wildlife.

Deliver the pilot UBI for the Arts as per the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force report.

Cease operations in Hazelwood Student Village and transfer landlords to a more student-friendly management company like Harrington Property Management.

Reinstate our PLC Art Portfolio Course in Thurles that provides local education in fine art, graphic design, photography and many more opportunities to those who are considering going on to 3rd Level Education in the Arts.

Prevent Academy Walk Management Ltd., from purchasing 48 more apartments in Hazelwood Student Village

Introduce fines of up to €1 million to landlords who breach health and safety regulations.

Reinstate higher fines for farm pollution to safeguard our local waterways.

There's a great need for dedicated arts facilities in County Kildare, for all the arts yes but especially those that need particular specifications or environment, for example soundproof rooms for musicians or sprung flooring for dancers. (Remember new paintings can be both created and displayed anywhere, they do not need special buildings.) In the past we relied on private sector, ordinary hardworking business people, to set up such facilities but now with the cost of business going through the roof, it has put a massive squeeze on any remaining arts facilities.  That leaves only the government, who for some reason want to control the entire arts and entertainment industries. So the least they can do for us is provide some facilities!