HEARTH documentary launch at National Museum of Ireland in Mayo

Hearth is a new documentary capturing the profound impact of bringing art directly into the homes of older people, offering a lifeline of creativity, connection and joy.

HeARTh – Art for Older People at Home – is a unique initiative that fosters creativity and human connection through weekly art workshops at participants’ homes. The project addresses the challenge of social isolation, demonstrating how artistic expression combats loneliness, uplifts the spirit, and enriches lives.

Now, a powerful documentary, directed by Mary Deely and Eamonn Dunne, brings this work to the screen, funded by the artsandhealth.ie Documentation Bursary 2024.

Hearth will premiere at the National Museum of Ireland – Turlough Park on 2 May 2025. Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD, will perform the official launch.

‘Through the filming of this project, we were lucky to witness first-hand just how wonderful the Hearth programme is—seeing older people and artists creating side by side in such a relaxed and genuine way. We hope the film captures some of what makes Hearth so special.’ – Mary Deely and Eamonn Dunne, Co-directors of Hearth

The HeARTh Project – Art for Older People at Home 

Founded in 2009 by artists Deirdre Walsh and Breda Mayock, Hearth connects professional artists with older people in Mayo. Each week, participants receive personal mentorship and high-quality art materials, enabling them to explore painting, drawing, and nature-inspired creativity – all in a comfortable, familiar environment.

‘Despite her mobility challenges, May painted with such ease. She had a collection of paintings that filled her with pride. May was deeply focused, with a clear goal in mind. She spoke about what painting meant to her: “It takes my mind off things—time goes by so quickly.” Her donkey painting was a marvel, it seemed to gaze out of the canvas. At that moment her confidence bloomed.’ – Deirdre Walsh, Hearth artist

There are six artists currently in the Hearth collective and 18 older people in Mayo are visited each week. Over the years Hearth has reached over 100 people throughout the county. The project is currently funded by Creative Ireland and supported by Mayo County Council Arts Service.

“There should be more of this—more activities that can occur in people’s houses when they can’t get out!” – Participant

“I hope Hearth goes from strength to strength and that other people can benefit from it. It’s an invaluable initiative and we, the family, are very grateful for it.” – Daughter of a participant

Hearth is more than just an arts programme – it’s a growing movement that champions the role of creativity in ageing. As it continues to evolve, the initiative empowers older people to express themselves, connect deeply with others and find renewed purpose through art. It’s a powerful reminder that growing older should never mean growing disconnected.

“We are thrilled that Hearth is the recipient of this year’s artsandhealth.ie Documentation Bursary Award. The resulting film beautifully tells the story of the project. Set against the spectacular rural landscape of Mayo, the film captures both the vastness of the area and the sense of isolation that people might experience. The participants are so generous in sharing their lives and love of artmaking. It’s a beautiful documentary — just like the project itself.” – Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta, Developing Arts + Health in Ireland.