Launch of new Mayo art commission Briathra Talún / Words from the Land
MAYO County Council Arts Service and Irishtown Community Development Company Limited will launch Briathra Talún / Words from the Land, a public art commission by visual artist Noah Rose, at Páirc on Tobair, Irishtown, on April 21 at 2 p.m.
Special guest speaker Dr. Andrew G. Newby will give a talk on the tenant rights meeting at Irishtown in April 1879.
The artwork will be officially launched by Councillor Damien Ryan, cathaoirleach, Claremorris-Swinford MD. The launch will be followed by a guided tour and talk with artist Noah Rose. All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided.
Noah Rose, an accomplished artist based in Headford, with extensive experience in public art across Ireland, the UK and internationally, was selected for this commission following an open competition. Through comprehensive research and consultation with the local community, the artist eventually focused on the historical significance of the 1879 Irishtown tenant rights meeting.
Noah’s interest in archival research, the Irish language and history all informed this project. These interests are reflected in the final artwork, Briathra Talún / Words from the Land, a sculptural installation consisting of Corten steel columns with laser-cut quotations in Irish and English from newspaper archives, with an accompanying artist publication.
Dr. Andrew G. Newby, Senior Lecturer in Transnational and Comparative History at the University of Jyväskylä, specialises in the land question in Victorian Ireland and Scotland. His published works include Ireland, Radicalism and the Scottish Highlands (EUP, 2007); Michael Davitt: New Perspectives (edited with Fintan Lane, IAP, 2009); Éire na Rúise: An Fhionlainn agus Éire ar thóir na Saoirse (Coiscéim, 2016); and An Fraoch Trí Thine! Micheál Mac Daibhéid, Conradh na talún agus Garbhchíocha na hAlban 1870-1887 (forthcoming, Coiscéim, 2025).
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. This funding enables the council to commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout County Mayo.
The council extends its sincere appreciation to Irishtown Community Development Company Limited and the Irishtown community for their support and collaboration.