Famous historical event inspires new artwork in Mayo
Artist Noah Rose conducting his research in the local history section at Mayo County Library in Castlebar.
Mayo County Council Arts Service and Irishtown Community Development Company Limited will launch Briathra Talún (Words from the Land) later this month.
It is a public art commission by visual artist Noah Rose, at Páirc on Tobair, Irishtown, and the launch will take place at 2pm on April 21, 2025. Special guest speaker Dr. Andrew G. Newby will give a talk on the tenant’s rights meeting at Irishtown in April 1879. The artwork will be officially launched by Cllr Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The launch will be followed by a guided tour and talk with artist Noah Rose. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
Following an open competition, Noah Rose was selected for this commission. He is an accomplished artist based in Headford, Co. Galway with extensive experience in public art across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally.
Through comprehensive research and consultation with the local community, the artist eventually focused on the historical significance of the 1879 Irishtown Tenant Rights Meeting. Noah’s interest in archival research, the Irish language, and history all informed this project. These interests are reflected in the final artwork Briathra Talún (Words from the Land), a sculptural installation consisting of Corten steel columns with laser-cut quotations in Irish and English from newspaper archives.
Dr Andrew G Newby, Senior Lecturer in Transnational and Comparative History at the University of Jyväskylä, specialises in the land question in Victorian Ireland and Scotland. His published works include (EUP, 2007); (edited with Fintan Lane, IAP, 2009); (Coiscéim, 2016); and 1870-1887 (forthcoming, Coiscéim, 2025).
This commission is part of Mayo County Council’s Public Art Programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. This funding enables the council to commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout Mayo. The council extends its sincere appreciation to Irishtown Community Development Company Limited and the Irishtown community for their support and collaboration.
For more information about this project, contact Aoife O’Toole, Acting Public Art Coordinator, Mayo Arts Service, Mayo County Council, at aotoole@mayococo.ie or telephone 094-9064376.
