Art tour gets one month on Spike

A new art installation will begin its national tour when it opens to the public on Spike Island next month.

The multi-screen video installation titled ‘The Trial’ explores the theme of healthcare and human rights within the Irish criminal justice system.

The project is by visual artist Sinead McCann in collaboration with UCD historians Catherine Cox and Fiachra Byrne.

McCann worked with writer Sarah Meaney and ex-prisoners from ‘The Bridge Project’, a charitable organisation that helps individuals who were previously incarcerated to reintegrate back into society.

Together they created the script for the video piece which stars Irish actor Tommy O’Neill.

O’Neill, who is best known for his role as detective John Deegan on RTÉ One’s Fair City, was himself incarcerated during the 1970s before turning his life around.

The Trial was exhibited in Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol last year with almost 20,000 visitors attending. Following on from its success it was selected by the Irish Arts Council to receive funding for a national tour.

Artist Sinead McCann believes that Spike Island is the perfect setting for the exhibit.

“We are honoured to have Spike Island host The Trial project. Visitors will have the chance to reflect on the history of healthcare in prison, while standing in what was, during Victorian times, one of the largest prisons in the world,” she said.

'The Trial' will open to the public from 26 July – 26 August on Spike Island. For more information visit histprisonhealth.com.