In for a penny, in for a Pound

Artist brings welcome colour to town’s neglected alleyway

A Cavan artist is adding to the town’s growing collection of colourful street art.

The Pound Archway had previously been an unloved shortcut linking Bridge Street carpark to Main Street. Until artist Paul McKiernan printed its name in large gothic font, it’s likely that many of those using it didn’t know it had a name - it was simply an anonymous alley, more frequently rushed through than strolled through. However the beautiful images taking shape from the tip of Paul’s brushes in recent weeks is giving pedestrians reason to take their time.

Swellan native Paul draws a ‘How are ya?’ from passers-by, and even some of those who don’t know him seem compelled to compliment his work.

Paul believes the alley is called the Pound Archway as it led from the pound lots where cattle were stored, and then herded on up Bullock Lane to the cattle fairs.

On the Kitty’s side of the archway, a middle aged lady wearing a head shawl and coat is painted looking off into the distance, deep in thought as she nurses a bottle of drink, and her pet dog is by her feet. The lady is a real life character from years gone by who would be fondly recalled by older generations.

Close by the image of a man wearing a flat-cap looms out of the darkness. His enormous emerald eyes peer out above a bird’s nest beard, as he lights his pipe.

On the Eason’s side of the archway, a large red parrot in mid-flight amidst books forms the core of the work, which was still taking shape at the time the Celt visited.

“I’m going to represent local authors and poets on the wall, just to tie in with what’s happening next door,” he explains.

Paul’s been trying to create a style which declares the work as one of his, and it’s fair to say he’s achieved that. Other murals he has done include a large work at the Gaelscoil, and a particularly catching one at the Irish United Nations Veterans Association centre in Swellan.

“Just to be able to do this type of art is great,” he says in the gaps between chats. “The town love it, the people love it.”

He hopes the warm colours will give “people more encouragement”.

“It’ll help brighten up the town a bit, because for years it was grey!”

Paul recalls the enormous painting of a woman’s face on the gable wall at the entrance to Church Street facing the Cathedral. It’s fair to say it divided opinion, but Paul was among the fans.

“Stuff like that - that kept people of Cavan talking for 10 years. Ten years - one painting!”

Sparking chat is one of Paul’s hopes for the work: “Get people talking, get them thinking old school Cavan - the lanes, the alleyways - what’s the story behind them? Why are they called that?”

Of course there are many street works that have been commissioned since Covid, all showcasing different styles, yet Paul’s artworks are very different. In both the colour choice and style, there’s an innocence, which is immediately accessible to the viewers. Innocence shouldn’t be mistaken for simple however - just have a look at the dancing tones that bring life to the old man’s flaming match.

Paul views Cavan as “all the time bubbling, bubbling, bubbling” with creativity, but believes it too often falls short of meeting its potential. He’s hopeful work like this can help bring about a more sustainable art movement.

“That’s why the Renaissance worked so well, because people got together and shared ideas - ‘Oh I can’t do this!’ ‘Try that’, ‘That works’. That’s how shit got done.”