Do I have to pay for the residency?
No, the residency is supported by Cow House Studios and Wexford County Council. Artists are responsible for food, materials and travel expense.
Who can apply for the residency?
The residency is open to Irish and international visual artists, writers, choreographers, performers, filmmakers and other cultural practitioners
How do I apply?
Application Guidelines:
Submit the following documents in PDF format…
1 Completed application form
2 Recent CV/resume
3 A portfolio (only one pdf file). Although there is no maximum number of images that will be accepted, we advise applicants to only submit relevant materials to reduce the size of email submissions. The images should include captions or short descriptions. For videos/films/audio, please provide links to your own website, Vimeo page, YouTube page, etc. Do not attach actual video files.
Please submit electronic copies of the three attachments in ONE email under the size of 10 MB to info@cowhousestudios.com
You will be contacted by a Cow House Studios representative to confirm receipt of your application within five working days. Successful applicants will be contacted by May 1, 2016.
Decisions – Incomplete applications will not be considered. A selection panel will review the submissions and make its decision solely on the information provided. The panel members include Kate Strain, Frank Abruzzese, Rosie O’Gorman and Catherine Bowe. Applicants will be notified of the results.
Is there an application fee?
No, all are free to apply.
Is a stipend provided for living expense?
Yes, Cow House studios with he support of Wexford County Council offer a €500 stipend paid upon arrival.
How long is the residency?
The 2016 residency programme is nine weeks long. Wexford Arts Centre will host the group exhibition as play curated by Kate Strain.
Must I commit to the entire program? Can I attend the residency for a shorter period of time?
All residency artists must commit to the full eight week programme. Arrangements can be made if participants need to travel for short periods of time due to professional or personal commitments.
Do you offer residencies at other times of the year?
Yes, we offer residencies in the spring for Art Educators, and a ten week visiting artist teaching position during our summer program Art on the Farm. You can read more about the
Art Educator Residency here, and the
Visiting Artist position here.
How many practitioners are awarded a residency?
Each year four creative practitioners will participate in the residency
Who is eligible for the exhibition in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre?
All residency participants are included in the exhibition at Wexford Arts Centre.
When will the exhibition at the Wexford Arts Centre take place?
The exhibition as play at the Wexford Arts Centre will take place at the end of the residency period. Read more about the
Wexford Arts Centre here.
Are applications open to artist collaboratives?
Yes, Cow House Studios will accept applications from artist collaboratives. One application should be submitted including work made by the collaborative. If awarded a residency all members of the collaborative will share a bedroom, studio and €500 stipend.
What facilities are provided in the studio?
The 343 m2 (3700 ft2) open plan space contains a darkroom and computer lab. Generous individual spaces are provided. There is a large shared open area for specific projects and working methods.
The darkroom consists of three Omega D5XL enlargers with black & white printing capabilities up to 50 x 60 cm (20 x 24 in).
The computer lab consists of four Apple Macintosh computers, a Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro high resolution film scanner, an Epson 4900 A3 17″wide colour printer, Adobe Creative Suite 6 Professional, Final Cut Pro and wireless broadband.
Do you have an open day?
Each year we host Cow House Open Studios, which takes place towards the end of the residency. We invite the community to see the work created by the residency artists during their stay, and often host an artist talk and children’s workshop during the open day.
How do I get to the Cow House?
If you do not have a car, or are traveling from abroad, you will be collected from the bus stop in Enniscorthy. Artists must arrive in Enniscorthy between 12 noon and 3 pm on the first day of the programme. For detailed bus schedules please visit
Wexford Bus or
Bus Eireann.
Where is the closest town/village?
Cow House Studios is located in rural farmland. The closest village, Rathnure is three miles away. The nearest town, Enniscorthy is twelve miles away.
Do you provide transport?
Each week artists can travel into town (either Enniscorthy, New Ross or Wexford) with Frank or Rosie to buy materials and run errands. We also have four electric bicycles which are great for a daytime excursion or trip to the pub.
Should I bring any materials with me?
We recommend that you bring basic materials with you. If you cannot carry materials personally, they can be mailed to Cow House Studios in advance of the residency.
Where can I buy art materials?
Basic art materials may be purchased in Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford. We recommend that you order additional or special materials online that can be delivered directly to the studio.
Building or hardware supplies can be ordered and delivered by a local builders supply.
Does Cow House Studios offer funding for travel to Ireland?
Cow House Studios does not provide financial assistance for travel to Ireland. Please do not apply if you will be unable to attend.
Are there any required events I must participate in during the residency?
Yes, artists must be present for our open day where the public are invited to visit the studios. Artists are also expected to give a talk about their work at Wexford Arts Centre, conduct studio visits for one afternoon with students from Wexford School of Art and participate in a Q&A session at Cow House Studios with students from Gorey School of Art.
Where will I stay?
Artists live in the Barn during their stay at Cow House Studios. This building lies adjacent to the studio. Each artist is given their own ensuite bedroom.
Cow House Studios is located on the O’Gorman family farm. Rosie’s parents, Michael and Mary, live next door and Michael still works the land. There is a family atmosphere at the Cow House, we have four very friendly dogs, three cats and a peacock. We occasionally have family and friends visiting.
What about food?
Artists are responsible for buying and preparing their own food. Transportation will be provided twice weekly to purchase groceries and other supplies. Once a week Frank will prepare a home cooked meal to be enjoyed together.
Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland for the residency?
EU residents, and residents from specific countries such as the USA and Canada do not need a visa for travel to Ireland. Citizens of certain countries do require a visa to travel to Ireland. Visa requirements for Ireland can be found
HERE. If you need a letter to assist in securing a visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Can I have visitors during my residency?
Yes, you are welcome to have friends and relatives visit during your stay. Your room will have extra beds if they choose to stay overnight. Guests may stay up to one week.
Do I need to bring bed linens or towels?
We provide bed linens, but please bring your own towels.
Don't see your question here?