The past is always present with us — the Bishop Street mural

CAST an inquisitive eye on the mural in Bishop Street, Tuam, because while it may seem like a simple piece of art or even graffiti, it has layers of meaning which bring us to our past, our present and our future.

Stand and stare and if you let the images seep into your soul, it might bring meaning to your life, might help to explain the entangled and cloying web of the past and present jostling each other for your soul of the future, and if you stay long enough you may be brought to a space which will have meaning.

The person behind this initiative is the dynamic and imaginative Chair of Tuam Tidy Towns Michael Waldron who, with Declan Harte several months ago, replaced the old gate and prepared the new one by painting it white.

A successful application to Creative Spaces for funding secured the talents of Corofin artist Síofra Holyland who spoke to The Tuam Herald about what inspired the mural entitled ‘Twists and Turns’.

“The mural is about the heritage and culture of Tuam, and it is about the Tuam community looking outwards to the world, but never forgetting its culture and heritage.”

Read the full feature in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald, on sale in shops and online www.tuamherald.ie