KILLRUDDERY ARTS, established in 2006, seeks to create a stimulating dialogue between the generations through playful, experimental, interactive and established art forms.
As an innovative arts company KA creates opportunities for arts practioners, engaged in various disciplines, to advance their practice through commissions, studio access and participation in two unique festivals.

KA is a catalyst for Cultural exchange and continues to explore partnerships with local arts organizations.

Various projects have been partly funded by The Arts Council and Wicklow Arts Office
World 2000 Productions, Ashburn and KEEL

In Developing the Programme, KA have collaborated with:

Rosie Lynch – Curator and Progressive Arts Opportunities
Chrissie Poulter – Professor of Drama and Community Arts.
Monkeyshine Theatre
Andrew Legge – Film Director
Kevin Brownlow – Film Director and Silent Film Historian
Daniel Fitzpatrick – Film Writer
Eilis Lavelle, Independent Curator and Exhibition Manager, Mermaid Arts Centre.
Nora Hickey and the Mermaid Arts Centre

Artistic Director: Fionnuala Aston-Ardee
Board of Directors: Fionnuala Aston-Ardee, Xenia Meath and David Newsome.

Biographies:

Fionnuala Aston-Ardee graduated with a BA from NCAD Fine Art in 2005, where she completed a thesis on The Artists Role in the Community. In 2007 she completed a Community Arts for Community Development Diploma from Maynooth University.
She lives and works in Killruddery. In 2006 she initiated Killruddery Arts along with Xenia Meath. In this Heritage House she has programmed a series of Silent Film screenings in conjunction with young Irish Film Director Andrew Legge and Film Historian and Director Kevin Brownlow, 2006 – 2008. She co-directed Killruddery Silent Film Festival 2009 with Andrew and Daniel Fitzpatrick. She is Production Manager of Killruddery Film Festival 2010. With KA she has developed The Enchanted Garden, 2006 -2009. In 2009 she
Co-curated the event with Rosie Lynch.
Fionnuala has created an artists studio space in the farmyard. This studio has been the base for residencies for theatre companies, puppeteers and fine artists creating work for – most frequently- The Enchanted Garden. She is currently expanding this opportunity to incorporate artist’s residencies in association with other arts organizations. Fionnuala has a particular interest in Sustainability within the arts. Fionnuala is involved in developing many aspects of Killruddery and Killruddery House and Gardens Public Programme.

Xenia Meath has been chatelaine of Killruddery House for some 18 years. She initiated Killruddery arts along with Fionnuala Aston-Ardee in 2006 and is a director. The staging of Arts in this heritage house and gardens, which was created for entertainment since the 17th century, has long been one of her ambitions. Since 1980 she and Jack Meath have annually hosted Music in Great Irish Houses and many internationally renowned musicians have given wonderful concerts in the Orangery. She finds that the developments made by this in-house arts company at Killruddery have brought a new energy to complement this venue and its cultural past.