Art and fun converge in Clonakilty
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Cork County Council has joined up with artists Carmel Creaner and Anne Kiely together with residents of Eastát Garrán Feá in Clonakilty to launch a largescale outdoor game. Anna GronieckaImage 2 of 2
Pictured at the launch are Anne Kley and Carmel Creaner. Photos: Anna Groniecka Anna GronieckaMarguerite Kiely
An art installation that doubles up as a game highlighting flora and fauna of the local area has been unveiled at Eastát Garrán Feá in Clonakilty.
Cork County Council has joined up with artists Carmel Creaner and Anne Kiely to launch the large-scale outdoor game for residents of all ages to enjoy. The art installation was developed under the Per Cent for Art Scheme and was co-created with tenants on the estate.
It looks like a giant board game and there are the same amount of squares as houses in the estate. There can be as many players as you want, and it’s ‘first to the finish line’. The theme of the game is nature, reflecting the biodiversity of the estate.
Carmel Creaner and Anne Kiely were selected to work with residents to develop the outdoor game installation in the Beechgrove area in Clonakilty. The initial consultation and workshop phase began in spring 2022, with the laying of the final paving stones finishing up in spring 2023.
It was important to the artists and residents that the artwork complemented its surroundings. Originally farmland, the Beechgrove is home to mature trees, a bat habitat and several breeds of birds and the Clonakilty housing development recently won an All-Ireland Community and Council Award for Best Social Housing Project 2023.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins welcomed the project. “This Per Cent for Art Scheme project in Clonakilty celebrates the environment and showcases the creativity of the new residents. The artists have worked extremely hard and delivered a high quality and meaningful artwork in collaboration with the residents of Eastát Garrán Feá. I have no doubt that it will be enjoyed by current and future residents for many years to come.”
Elsewhere in the county, artist Peadar Lamb is developing new work for Binn na gCléireach, a housing development in Kilnagleary, Carrigaline. Projects are also currently in the pipeline for Doneraile and Skibbereen.
All artists are selected from the 2021 – 2024 Housing Public Art Panel.