One mural made by many
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Seeing double! Joe Moynagh, local historian, who helped the children of Mountnugent with the history behind the school’s mural got a lovely surprise when the children unveiled the mural recently.Image 2 of 3
Two members of the Creative Schools committee of Mountnugent National School (names withheld by school) admire their handywork at the launch of their beautiful mural.Image 3 of 3
Claire Balfe, artist Colette Kearney, Principal Jane Browne, historian Joe Moynagh and the Creative Schools Committee.Many hands make light work. Mountnugent National School has slightly adapted this proverb. Not only have all of the 93 students contributed to the creation of a vibrant mural finalising the two-year 'Creative School' term, but all their handprints have found their way onto the painting.
“We wanted it to be a legacy that is going to be here for years to come, and showing that it is important that every child leaves the school year with a sense of where they are from,” says prinicipal Jane Browne explaining the thought process.
“The idea was that we would create something collaboratively as a school community, and give a nod to our local community and the rich history that we have here.”
No better man to teach about local history, but “our one-stop-shop" storyteller Joe Moynagh, says Ms Browne. The fifth and sixth class students had travelled to local historical sites such as Ross Castle and the Grave of Orwin and Sabina. Joe recited myths and legends on site and taught the children the significance of Ross Quarry from where the stones for Leinster House were sourced. After returning, the classes completed projects on the topics, which they then presented to the other children in school.
The €4,000 subsidy from the Arts Council under the Creative Schools scheme has carried an impressively long way over the past two years: New iPads, a week dedicated to coding and producing food on No-Bake-Day, a dance workshop, a visit by a renowned author and illustrator, as well as a tour to the landmarks - that essentially pathed the way for the final project.
The large white wall in the hallway had always stood out to the principal for improvement. She approached local artist Colette Kearney. A former student herself, she was eager to help with creating the mural, recalls the principal: “Collette was more than happy to get involved. She used the inspiration from the projects and the children's recounts of that day.
“She took it from the children's eyes, obviously it has her touch, but it's very much the children's work, which was what we wanted.”
The centre of the mural is the lake with the historical landmarks around it. The infants painted the wildflowers and they all left a handprint. “The children are very, very proud of themselves and the work they put in,” says Ms Browne.
She saw the children overcome their initial worries of not being able to paint the different motives with the help of the artist Colette and then beaming with pride, once the picture took shape.
Every day she walks past, she is delighted to spot a new detail in the mural, tells the principal. The junior infants that will leave in eight years' time, will be able to look back at the little flowers they left behind. Their own personal landmark.