Art in the Townlands (2006)
Art in the Townlands was set up as a public art project after the Sticky Fingers team spent time working closely with communities in South Armagh. The communities energy and enthusiasm for the arts was infectious and Sticky Fingers quickly became fascinated by the local myths and legends associated with the unique and sometimes forgotten townlands.
At the request of the local people, an art project was developed that saw at least three different generations working together to bring the magical tales back to life and to ensure that the unique histories of these areas would be retold to future generations.
Professional artists from the local area worked within each community to support and guide the participants though a process of personal and community discovery, together creating an artwork unique to their area.
Local carpenters, builders, tilers, stonemasons, iron casters and even a funeral director worked alongside school children and the Sticky Fingers team and as a result South Armagh can today boast eight public artworks from Keady to Creggan, featuring everything from flying bulls to standing stones.
Art in the Townlands was inspired by the Centre for Creative Communities and is an excellent example of the arts being used as a tool to initiate positive change. In this case, change was achieved in these vibrant rural Irish communities by enhancing and highlighting the skills and resources they already possessed.
Over mountains and by rivers, in fields and in forests, the legends and history of this mythological land are now permanent features that will delight and entertain for many years to come.
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| Artist Hilary Goode with Ballymacnab Community Development Association | Artist Hilary Goode with Derrynoose Community Development Association, Our Lady's and St. Mochua's Primary School |
