A tri-county storytelling project, “Did I Ever Tell You” aims to collect the thoughts and memories of older people in HSE healthcare settings across Kildare, Offaly, and Westmeath through a variety of creative engagements and artistic mediums.

Through this initiative, artists in each county  are collaborating with residents of nursing homes and patients in hospitals using creative arts to enhance wellbeing, support mental health, and promote positive ageing. Their sustained engagement will continue through December 2025.

Selected stories, reflections and creative content from each county will be published in a collective book, celebrating older voices and the impact of arts in these health settings.

Participating artists  are being supported via dedicated training and networking events, the first of which took place on 4 December in Naas where the tri-county collaboration was launched.

The day provided an opportunity for those involved in the project to meet, exchange ideas, and hear presentations which included a ‘show and tell’ by the project artists, and a wellbeing checklist for participating artists. Facilitated round-table discussions and a brainstorming session with artists were also a feature of the day.

In County Kildare, the project will take place in Naas General Hospital through a new Artist in Residence programme which will host Visual Artist and Kildare native John Conway. John will develop a project informed by ongoing engagement with service users with life limiting conditions, healthcare workers, and the wider hospital environment. In the words of the artist, “the format of a year-long residency is a wonderful opportunity to slowly develop relationships in the hospital, and to undertake artistic research to build towards a significant artistic output”. John is a socially engaged visual artist renowned for his work in complex health and community contexts.

Offaly County Council has joined forces with Anam Beo Arts Collective, who have engaged four visual artists, a writer and musician to connect with older adults in care and community settings including Clara Day Care and Riada, Ofalia, and Birr Community and Nursing Units. Anam Beo’s tailored programme of artistic engagement is designed to foster social health, deepen community connections, and spark meaningful interactions among participants, artists, and care staff. With gentle conversations, personal reflections, and shared memories, Anam Beo’s programme aims to bring forth and visualise stories that resonate across generations.

In Westmeath, arts collective Fighting Words will engage with residents at Cluain Lir Community Nursing Unit in Mullingar and St. Vincent’s Care Centre in Athlone to share their stories and memories, resulting in a collective book that encapsulates their experiences. This initiative is expected to create a ripple effect among kinship groups, as the residents’ families receive keepsakes that they can cherish and pass down.

Kildare County Council are the lead partner on the project, organising the intercounty elements and one overarching impact evaluation.

Supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, “Did I Ever Tell You” is a collaborative effort involving the three counties with contributions from local Age Friendly, Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland Programme and HSE teams.