Residents of COPE Galway’s short-term accommodation hostel for men have teamed up with local artist, Tracey Moca, to transform Fairgreen Road.
The mural, entitled “City of Tribes”, celebrates all things Galway and has added colour to the previously dark and gloomy wall facing Fairgreen Road.
Tracey designed the mural after a consultation with the current residents of the 26-bed Fairgreen Hostel. She said, “The men at Fairgreen Hostel have brought their own individual and unique talents to the table, from coming up with ideas, to using their individual painting skills and techniques. Over the past few weeks, they have created this wonderful tribute to Galway through teamwork, determination, countless cups of coffee, and plenty of banter! Their commitment and engagement with the project has been just fantastic.”
The residents completed the artwork over just two weeks and unveiled it at a small launch event last Tuesday (25 July). The project was made possible thanks to funding by Galway City Council and Creative Ireland, and supported by T O’Higgins Hardware Homevalue, who kindly donated paints and materials.
One resident of Fairgreen Hostel said of the project, “It’s isolating being homeless – this brought us together in a group activity. It takes you out of a rut. It’s always great to be a part of something from start to finish. It’d be good to do it again because people have really enjoyed it.”
Paudie Cunningham, Team Lead at Fairgreen Hostel, welcomed the artwork: “For 25 years, Fairgreen Hostel has operated from this building, located on the main throughway into Galway bus and train station. By enhancing the exterior of our building we have transformed from being an anonymous structure into a piece of visual art, which our service users and staff can be proud of.
The project has given residents a real sense of purpose and ownership of their space, and encouraged some to think about pursuing a career in painting or art. It’s great that a part of the building has now been transformed for the community, by the community and will be a long lasting and positive addition to the area.”
Tracey also thanked the residents “for all their kindness, hard work and generosity on this, and for giving the Galway community such a beautiful gift!”
Caption:
Caption: COPE Galway’s Fairgreen Hostel residents have teamed up with local artist, Tracey Moca (pictured), to create a vibrant mural, “City of Tribes”. The residents are delighted to have played a part in creating a long lasting and positive addition to the area. Tracey said, “Over the past few weeks, the men have created this wonderful tribute to Galway through teamwork, determination, countless cups of coffee, and plenty of banter! I’d like to thank them for all their kindness, hard work and generosity on this, and for giving the Galway community such a beautiful gift.” Tracey is pictured by the mural with Paudie Cunningham, Team Lead at Fairgreen Hostel.
Photo by: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE.
Media Queries: Colette Coughlan, 085 858 9781/ccoughlan@copegalway.ie