Public invited to launch of new public art features in Roscommon
This piece of sculpture on the Square in Roscommon Town by Simon Carmen and Dr. Helen Sharp is officially titled‘Held Together.
New public art commissions are being launched in the heart of Roscommon Town.
These new artworks follow previous commissions where artists responded creatively to the town’s laneways, such as ‘The Poetry Laneway’ on Chapel Street and ‘The Bee Lane’ on Alleé De Chartrettes. Each of these features have attracted favourable reaction among residents and visitors alike.
The new works, Sculpture on the Square by Simon Carmen and Dr. Helen Sharp, officially titled ‘Held Together,’ and ‘The Mosaic Laneway’ by Chris Judge and Triskill Design, are part of the final elements of the ambitious Roscommon Town Main Street and Market Square Public Realm Project.
These new features highlight Roscommon’s considerable tradition in craftwork and celebrate the rural agricultural community and local history.
Students from St Coman’s Wood Primary School and members of County Roscommon Historical & Archaeological Society engaged with artist Chris Judge to decide on the elements, places, local figures, and native fauna to be highlighted in the designs of the mosaics.
Anyone interested in hearing more from the artists is welcome to come along to the formal unveiling of the works on Saturday, November 15th from 10.30 a.m.. The meeting point for viewing will be outside the Bank of Ireland on The Square in Roscommon Town. At 11 a.m. in the function room of Gleeson’s Restaurant there will be opening words from the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Liam Callaghan, followed by talks from the artists on each commission. The launch will close with a film screening of Roscommon’s Mosaic Tradition.
These newest works are part of the ‘Living Laneways’ initiative, a public art trail that provides visual enhancement to the laneway links approaching Main Street and Market Square.
These commissions were funded through the Per Cent for Art Scheme under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and delivered through Roscommon Arts Office.
As part of the launch enjoy the screening of Roscommon’s Mosaic Tradition, a documentary funded by the Heritage Council as part of Heritage Week 2024. Roscommon County Council Heritage and Arts Office commissioned the film in collaboration with local Roscommon businessman, Liam Stephens.
Filmed by PureDesigns, it features insights on Roscommon’s unique mosaic heritage that has been synonymous with Roscommon Town for generations and has contributions from locals who worked in the industry including Tom Kilroe, Sergio Benedetti, Patsy Flanagan, Benny Mulhern, and many more who contributed photos.
