Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:00pm

Sculptures set scene for fleadh

by Sinead Hogan

Dance dance where ever you may be by Tina Quinn, her piece is situated in the rose garden at the CYMS. Photo: Charlie Cronin
Pic by==: 97

We've all heard of doing a big clean-up when there are visitors coming but Cavan has taken the concept to new levels with the town dressed to impress in good time for August 16 when the All-Ireland Fleadh kicks off.

Town improvements are ongoing and floral displays adorn fences, walls and lamp-posts, but the eleven temporary installations at different sites in the town have really been true to their name in making Cavan proud.

As part of the Mórtas An Chabháin (Pride of Cavan) project, artists - Joey Burns, Padraig Cahill, Joe Doherty, Niamh Smyth, Laura O'Connor, Tina Quinn, Sally O'Dowd, Ross Cochrane, Alan-James Burns, Edwin Lynch and Anne O'Reilly - have created striking and imposing works. From the fiddle-head in the middle of the roundabout to the pyramids opposite Cavan Institute and lots more, they've really got the town talking.

At the official launch last Saturday, Jack Keyes, Fleadh Executive Committee chairman, said he was particularly impressed by huge contribution these pieces make to the town and the reaction of locals and visitors.

Despite the torrential rain, the launch was a celebratory event. Music was by Martin Donohoe, Peter Kelly Snr., Peter Kelly Jnr. and some 15 young musicians from Cavan Town Comhaltas. A tour of the town followed with pit-stops at each work so artists could tell a little about their pieces under the shelter of their umbrellas. Alan James Burns's music video, which he made to accompany a lilt by Seamus Fay, was shown in an unlikely intimate space under the stairs in Cavan Institute.

"There's an absolutely great reaction from people," said Catriona O'Reilly, chair of the Mórtas An Chabháin sub-committee.

She commended the artists in going beyond the call of duty. "The commitment of the artists and their professionalism in executing the project was incredible, in particular Joey Burns for his role in coordinating the event."

She also thanked businesses on Town Hall Street as well as Cavan Steel Fabrication, P. Elliotts, and Sammy Wilkin, who facilitated and provided the ground-work free. She commended The Anglo-Celt and Cavan Institute for providing studio space and said the artists appreciated the guidance of Alan Lyons and the staff of Cavan Town Council.

Cllr. Andrew Boylan asked town engineer, Alan Lyons, at the town council meeting on Monday whether the artworks could be kept.

Mr. Lyons clarified that the sculptures are temporary installations, adding that the artists had invested much of their own time and money into them, being given funds towards materials.

Catriona O'Reilly hopes that the town council would consider purchasing at least some of the artworks.

• More work by the artists will be on show at the forthcoming exhibition, curated by Niamh Smyth, at The Anglo-Celt old printworks in August.

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