Kilrush Youthreach murals for hotel front

FOR the second time in two years, murals are going up in Kilrush through the artistry of Youthreach programme learners, this time on the façade of the vacant Inis Cathaigh Hotel.
Youthreach students first came to notice for their mural expertise after doing a huge piece on a wall in the grounds of West Clare Adult and Community Education Centre on the Cooraclare Road.
The many comments of admiration for the work reached the ears of the Tidy Town committee members, who came up with the idea of having the students do murals for the façade of the vacant Inis Cathaigh Hotel on Francis Street.
Owner Anthony Kelly was in favour of the idea when approached. He, like the committee members, saw it as a way to meet one of the recommendations in last year’s Tidy Town report on Kilrush, which had suggested that attention be given to the building’s front as a means of gaining more marks.
In consultations between Des Tomlinson of the committee and Declan Farmer, resource and art teacher on the Youthreach programme, it was decided to provide murals in wood for the four ground floor windows. They were to reflect the maritime and tourism features of the West Clare capital.
The finished products are due to be mounted at the end of this month. They depict the marina, a horse fair, Scattery Island and a currach launch. Each is six feet high and four feet wide.
None of the foundation group of Youthreach learners had ever painted artistically before. However, Stevie Keeble, Bernhard Regter, Patrick Hall, Seán Naughton and Seán Bracken are more than mildly surprised at the talent they developed in the course of the task.
For their pains, they and fellow learners are being rewarded with a treat from the Tidy Town committee. It is sponsoring an outing to Tralee for paint-ball fun.