Island Environment and Identity
Inter-Island Exchange Meeting
Ireland, 8-10 November 2005

The European Small Islands Network Inter-Island Exchange Project (ESIN IIEP) aims to promote the sustainable development of Europe’s small islands. The project is funded by the EU’s Interreg IIIC Funding Programme and the Scottish funding partners are Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council and North Ayrshire Council.

As part of the ESIN IIEP an information exchange visit to Bere Island in Ireland took place from Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th November 2005.

This visit was based on the project theme of Island Environment and Identity as it relates to cultural practices. During the exchange meeting, participants will look at a Heritage Conservation Plan for Bere Island, which was carried out by the Irish Heritage Council. The Heritage Council is a statutorily independent body, established under the Heritage Act, 1995, and funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Council’s statutory functions include proposing policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage, and promoting education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitating appreciation and enjoyment of Ireland’s heritage.

The Heritage Council has worked closely with the Bere Island community and together they have devised a plan for sustainable development of the island.

Broadly speaking, the network meeting wished to hear about other community initiatives which involve a high awareness of the island environment.

A conference of Creative Islanders from across the Hebrides took place on Easdale Island on 19th and 20th August 2005, saw the launch of a new funding scheme to promote better arts and cultural links between island communities.

In summer 2002, HI~Arts, the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands, commissioned Deirdre MacMahon to interview 54 Hebridean islanders about their sense of culture and identity. The report, ‘Na h-Eileanaich Ealanta/Creative Islanders – culture and creativity in the Hebrides’ (available to download from this page) has been praised for its advocacy of greater support for island initiatives. In September 2004 the first Còmhradh na h-Eileanaich Ealanta/Creative Islanders Conference brought contributors together on Skye to socialise, share concerns and seek solutions. This year the focus moved to the islands of Argyll, which are spread over a huge geographical area and host a vast range of arts activities year-round.

Since the initial study took place, cultural activity in all the Hebridean islands has been steadily growing. Improved infrastructure to the north has facilitated development and cohesion in the Outer Isles and on Skye. Yet communication between island arts activists continues to be fragile and many creative possibilities remain unexplored throughout the Hebridean archipelago. Creative Islanders/na h-Eileanaich Ealanta exists to encourage these possibilities.

This year’s gathering of Creative Islanders was held on Easdale Island on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 August 2005.