Friendship depicted in New Oak mural
Willie Payne and his faithful dog Bruno, featured as subjects in the new mural at the New Oak Community Centre, Carlow, also shown are Kirstie Maher (artist), Ciaran Brennan (Executive Technician Carlow County Council) and Sharon Parker-Byrne (chairperson New Oak Community and Residents Assoc), missing from pic is Evelyn Jones and her dog Daisy who are also featured on the mural. Photos: Michael O’Rourke Photography
THE friendship between two residents who live in New Oak Estate in Carlow town has been immortalised in a mural drawn on the local community centre.
The wonderful mural, painted by artist Kirsty Maher, depicts Evelyn Jones and her dog, Daisy, sitting beside Willie Payne and his dog, Bruno. The duo and their pets sit every morning on a buddy bench in the estate which was made by Carlow Men’s Shed.
Kirsty was commissioned by Ciaran Brennan in Carlow County Council to create and paint the scene onto the community centre.
As well as the people and their pets, the mural depicts willow trees and toadstools as throwbacks to the past.
Sharon Parker Byrne, who runs the New Oak Community Centre, suggested Evelyn and Willie as the subjects of the mural as the pair epitomise the importance of community and friendship.
Sharon said: “The mural is just fantastic! It highlights the use of the buddy bench by the local residents and passers-by. We can’t thank Ciaran Byrne and Kirsty Maher enough to all their work.”
Kirsty explained how she created the remarkable mural.
“Sharon gave me photos of Evelyn and her dog and Willie and his dog to work off. I then drew out the image that I wanted into a programme called Pre-Create and then hand-drew it onto the wall,” explained Kirsty.
“Sharon told me that there were three willow trees when she was growing up where the community centre while the toadstools were about how the children used to use bin lids and buckets to play.”
It took her about two weeks to paint the scene during the very hot weather, but she was supported and encouraged by local people who used to keep her hydrated with bottles of water and minerals. On the final days of the project, Kirsty was assisted by her mother, Meave.
“It was roasting hot, but the local community were brilliant, they kept buying us bottles of Coke, 7Up and water. One of the great things of this job is the chatting to people. They tell me stories, and I often use them as a personal source of inspiration. I’ll often reference the stories in the next mural that I’m doing.
"I love what I do so it’s never like work to me. I’ve very fortunate to be able to do this,” said Kirsty.
Kirsty has next been commissioned by the Carlow County Council to create murals on Dublin Street so keep an eye out and have a chat with her. You never know, your story might well be immortalised in one of her murals!
