Mural honours popular boatman a year on from his death

A Conamara artist painted a mural on the gable-end of a home in Ros a Mhíl – to honour one of the area’s best-known boatmen who died a year ago in June.

Danny Wallace of An Cheathrú Rua painted the scene of Céibh Bhearna or Barna Pier on the side of the home of Pádraig Seoighe or Pádraig John William at Barr Róisín.

Pádraig Seoighe was predeceased by his parents, the renowned boatman, sailor and rower, John William, his father, and Bríd his mother.

From Inis Bearracháin, Leitir Móir and Barr Róisín, Ros a Mhíl, Pádraig Seoighe’s Galway Hooker was called ‘An Volunteer’.

He is survived by his wife Cáit (nee Fagan) and children Colm and Róisín Seoighe, who are accomplished musicians and dancers.

Pádraig used to set sail from Barna Pier, and the painting is representative of him heading off on his final journey.

Barna had held a special place in his heart, and it was where his wife Cáit was from and grew up.

The home of Cáit’s late grandparents, and late uncle, Peadar, a well-known fisherman from No 5 Pier Road, is visible in the scene painted by Danny Wallace.

“It’s on the gable of Pádraig’s house. It’s Barna as it used to be. I blended in the old with the new on Pier Road. It’s not exactly as it is now but it’s a mixture of old and new,” he said.

“It’s Pádraig’s boat leaving Barna Pier. He used to sail out of there. He was a friend of mine. It was to honour him, and we had an unveiling on his year’s anniversary. We had a few tunes to remember him. John Williams, his father, was a master rower and master boats man.”

Danny Wallace said he’s been painting all his life, and has focused on it in the past 20 years in particular.

He said he was ‘flat out’ busy at the moment, and is giving classes in An Cheathrú Rua.