About
Visual Artist Cathal Mc Carthy was awarded the Tubber Hill Public Art commission by Mayo County Council’s Arts Service. Cathal worked in collaboration with local poet Mary C Reilly and residents of the Tubber Hill Housing Development on this visual arts and poetry project starting in autumn 2021. The project was launched in October 2023. This project was an opportunity for the local community of Tubber Hill Westport to collaborate with a professional artist on a public art project. Cathal describes his approach to community engagement;
As an artist I enjoy working and engaging with the community to create a sense of ownership, build relationships and provide an atmosphere of support and investigation. My modus operandi is to provide frameworks/skills and methodologies for artwork creation. My practice often involves social aspects where I provide frameworks for meaningful socially engaged art participation.
The location of the Tubber Hill Housing Development and its relation the wider community of Westport located in the shadow of Croagh Patrick on the edge of Clew Bay all give ample scope for the imagination It is located at one of the highest points of the town with views of the surrounding landscape. The housing scheme was designed to be immediately accessible to the Westport Greenway (old railway line) into the town centre, schools, playgrounds and the Quay. The Tubber Hill development represents a merging of the old and new as it is located close to the original streets in the town including Peter Street, High Street and John’s Row. Local history, changing times and society are reflected in the nearby historical sites.
This commission is part of Mayo County Council’s Public Art Programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. For more information go to www.mayo.ie/arts/public-art. Residents in interested in taking part in upcoming workshops can contact publicart@mayococo.ie.
For further information: Aoife O’Toole, Acting Public Arts Co-ordinator, Mayo Arts Service at 094-9064376 or aotoole@mayococo.ie