Gareth’s art embraces community spirit

A unique oak and larch pavilion styled on a Galway Hooker, that has been presented as a gift to Headford was born out of an artistic collaboration between Headford Men’s Shed, traditional boat builder Patrick Connolly from Inverin, and Oranmore artist Gareth Kennedy

The piece, created as a Public Art Project under the auspices of Galway County Council, is located on the grounds of Moyne Villa FC. A plaque to mark the gift of the pavilion – about the size of a large bus shelter, but far more beautiful – was unveiled this week by Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Mary Hoade.

Gareth is “a big advocate of the men’s shed movement, because it gives men a social context beyond just going to the pub”, and had previously worked with a similar group in Castlebar.

The Fan Nóiméad project, which ran last over six months year, offered him the opportunity to explore ideas around the traditional Irish practice of the Meitheal, where neighbours worked together to ensure that turf and crops were harvested for the year.

“I’m interested in that as a subject; the idea of making something with people when work has a social and cultural function as well as being productive.”

Before ever embarking on the project, Gareth and the members of the men’s shed discussed what they wanted to create. The men were determined they wanted a structure that would be functional and not just decorative; something that would be of practical use to the community.

That’s where Patrick Connolly, a man described by Gareth as “a national treasure” who had served a seven-year apprenticeship at his craft, came in. He had originally been invited to Headford by the Solas Resource Centre to build window boxes, but his talents were even more suited to this public art work. He and the local Men’s Shed had previously made a currach which they called Eva of the Nation after 19th century Headford-born literary and political figure, Mary Ann Kelly. Having completed this skin-covered boat, he and the men had forged a good relationship and Gareth felt it might be time to “up the ante” by using the materials and processes necessary to create a Galway Hooker. That involved oak and larch. The oak was sourced from a tree that had been felled in a Co Offaly demesne–for historic and environmental reasons there aren’t sufficient oak forests in Connacht, says Gareth.

The pavilion was built on site at Moyne Villa to create an energy and interest around the town – it could have been made elsewhere but then the social aspect would have been missing, he feels.

Moyne Villa was chosen because of the relationship between the town and the local soccer club, a place that’s more than a soccer club, he says.

“It’s not just for football; it’s also a community amenity area with green space and the pavilion fits in there. Also this way, it will be used.”

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.