In the draft plan, Michelle Carew, the council’s Arts Officer, said after the difficulties of the pandemic “and notwithstanding ongoing challenges”, the development of the new strategy “is optimistic and affirmative”.

Kelby felt the theatre world was still relatively limited in terms of diversity

Increased funding for the Arts sector has been welcomed amid concerns that dozens of organisations and thousands of jobs in the industry are at risk.

INTERNATIONALLY renowned American pianist David Syme has found himself settling in West Cork with his wife Suzanne since 2005 and said he can’t see himself living anywhere else.