Wolves Return to Ballybane!

Artist Irene Naughton with her poem and mural

Wolves have returned to Ballybane, with the installation of a spectacular new mural as part of a community project at Sruthán Mhuirlinne in Ballybane. The project was launched at an event on 13 November 2024. The amazing mural features two new works of poetry - one by the mural artist herself, Irene Naughton; the other an Irish poem by award winning poet Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, with a theme of the last wolf of Merlin Woods. This project was funded by the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) Anti-Dumping Initiative. 

Speaking about the project, Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council, said, “This fantastic project was very much a collaborative effort with the local community in Ballybane. We wanted to reflect their sense of identity and pride in their area through the themes of both the mural and the poems. The area was identified by the community as a dumping hotspot – this project has transformed the space, which is in a very prominent position – and really highlights the positive changes which are on-going in Ballybane.”

The mural wall features the two original pieces of poetry (English and Gaeilge) on a plaque, and a depiction of the wolf, which is a character in both poems, as well as a wealth of local biodiversity, which is a tribute to the several large wildflower areas across the road. 

As part of the launch, the artist Irene Naughton recited her poem, along with a recital of the Gaeilge poem by local man, Tom Roddy.  

The project was developed in collaboration with Merlin Neighbourhood Residents Association, who were recently recognised as Runners Up at the IPB Pride of Place Awards. Residents worked with Galway City Council Housing Estate Liaison Officer, Edward Conlon; Environmental Awareness Officer, Fergal Cushen; Irish Officer Marcus Ó Conaire; artist Irene Naughton; and poet Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh to develop this project. 

Irene Naughton is a local artist who interests include realism, street art, crafts, poetry and is currently writing a kid’s story book. Some of her art will be at the upcoming Christmas exhibition in Kennys. Her work also features in the nearby Sliabh Rua estate from a similar joint project in 2022. See www.facebook.com/inaughtonart.

Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh is an award-winning Irish poet who has read in festivals in New York, Paris, Montréal, Berlin and Ballyferriter. She has won many awards including the O’Neill Poetry Prize in 2012 for ‘Deireadh na Feide’. Her 2016 book ‘Tost agus Allagar’ won the Michael Hartnett Award. She is also the recipient of the Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award. See www.ailbhenighearbhuigh.com