Clon full of colour
A new mural full of colour has been painted in West Cork to commemorate the beginning of the Irish Civil War.
The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Danny Collins paid a visit to Clonakilty this week to visit the mural ahead of the Michael Collins Centenary Commemoration Festival, which will mark 100 years since the revolutionary figure was killed in an ambush at Beál na Bláth but will also celebrate his life and achievements.
Joining the existing Truce Mural, the new Civil War Mural, by Cork artist Garreth Joyce, commemorates the beginning of the Irish Civil War. It depicts the Austin Clarke civil war poem ‘The Lost Heifer’ and was a Michael Collins House led project, funded by Cork County Council’s Commemorations Committee in association with The Walls Project.
Mayor Collins said: “The bright and colourful mural looks beautiful and blends with the surrounding foliage in Croppy Park. But it has a deeper meaning that illustrates the damage of the Civil War. The Truce Mural on Kent Street commemorates the end of the Irish War of Independence and depicts Michael Collins and other local revolutionary heroes.”
Commenting on the mural, Garreth Joyce said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of creating a civil war themed mural in a public park setting, the heavy themes of Ireland's struggle for freedom subtlety resting in a colourful bright and playful piece of artwork.”
Running from 14-22 August, with additional events taking place throughout the summer, the Michael Collins Centenary Commemoration Festival will include a parade followed by speeches and music in Clonakilty’s Emmet Square, a symposium of history talks, an outdoor cinema event, theatre, special exhibitions, history walks as well as several commemoration and wreath laying ceremonies. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said: “Cork County Council is immensely proud to support the Michael Collins Centenary Commemoration Festival. There will be events suitable for all throughout the summer as we mark the centenary of such an important moment in the history of our state.”
The festival is a collaboration between local groups such as Michael Collins House Museum, Michael Collins Centre, the Michael Collins Commemoration Committee Clonakilty, the Sams Cross Commemoration Committee, Duchas Clonakilty and Cumann Seanchais Cloich na Coillte and more. Events are being funded by individual groups and by Cork County Council’s Commemoration fund.