Kildare County Council announces recipient of the Amplify Artist Practice Bursary 

Conor Burke is an actor, playwright, and theatre-maker

Kildare County Council’s Arts Service has announced Conor Burke as the recipient of the Amplify EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) Artist Practice Bursary Award 2026.

Conor is an actor, playwright, and theatre-maker. 

His plays create joyful and engaging experiences that tell stories of today, often centering on queer and working-class characters, and giving voice to experiences that can be overlooked by the mainstream. 

In 2015, he became the youngest artist to write and perform a solo show as part of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, with his play Leaving Narnia, which was nominated for the Oscar Wilde Award for Best New Writing.

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Since then, Conor‘s work has been programmed in a variety of venues across the UK and Ireland, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Scene + Heard: Festival of New Work, Riverbank Arts Centre, Moat Theatre, and Smock Alley Boys’ School.

Conor, along with collaborators Shauna Carrick and Nessa Matthews, is currently developing Gleek of the Week - a one-person musical about fandom and the life-changing power of art.

The Amplify EDI Artist Practice Bursary Award, supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon will provide Conor with the time and resources to focus on the development of their professional practice and a specific artistic project.

Announcing the award, Eláine Donnelly acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council, said: “We are delighted to announce Conor as recipient of this award, and look forward to supporting the development of this new piece of theatre.

“This award reflects the Arts Office’s ongoing commitment to nurturing diverse artistic voices and strengthening the creative community across County Kildare. Conor’s work embodies the innovation and inclusivity we strive to champion, and we are proud to stand behind his artistic journey.”   

Speaking of his plans, Conor Burke said, “I am beyond thrilled to receive the Amplify EDI Artist Practice Bursary Award. The support will allow me the opportunity to carry out focused research, writing, and dramaturgical development on Gleek of the Week - an original new one-person musical centered around queer joy, the art that changes us, and the American television show Glee. With sincere thanks to Kildare Arts Service for the opportunity.” 

Conor will begin work in early 2026.