Tight-knit Limerick community unveils colourful mural
A GROUP of 21 young people made a splash in West Limerick as part of a summer programme.
For a week, they painted a mural in Monagea.
Organised by Foróige and Monagea GAA, the project seeked to encourage creativity for well-being by connecting young people from rural areas through a summer programme.
Foróige, a national youth development organisation, believes in enabling young people to actively and consciously involve themselves in their own development and in the development of their community.
After extensive consultations with young people from the area, Farming was the theme chosen for the painting.
Not only does the mural aim to be pleasing to the eye, the artwork also represents the culture and traditions of the Monagea people.
The GAA pitch is central to the tight-knit Monagea community and is a hive of activity for physical, social, mental, spiritual health and well-being.
For a week, the locals acted as both participants and spectators in the project as they watched the painting come to life.
Foròige Creative Learning Hub Coordinator, Elaine Williams, commented: “The young people want people who visit to remember Monagea for its amazing sport, culture and leave with a clear appreciation of what Monagea represents.
“People in West Limerick are so kind, supportive and encouraging. I hope people will stop, interact with the space, want to have their picture taken in front of the mural painting, send it to relatives, and enjoy it.
“I know when I see street art it brightens up my day and it's great for rural communities to have a taste of that too,” she said.
Elaine spoke highly of Lulu Keeley, a skilled artist who facilitated the initiative.
“She translated young people's ideas into a design and worked with the young people to paint the mural. I can't recommend Lulu Keeley enough, we should really help to support our local based artists.”
“It's so important to encourage young people to express themselves in dynamic and creative approaches to life's challenges and to ensure the creative arts are a part of their future development'” concluded Elaine.
The project was funded by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Local Creative Youth Partnership, Tusla and the Monagea GAA.