Celebrating local creativity through community art

Colourful tapestry will remain in Tuam library

The Tuam Community Tapestry was unveiled just before Christmas by Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr David Collins. It marked the culmination of nine weeks of collaboration between professional textile artist Helen Flynn and a dedicated local community women’s group.

Through stitching and weaving, participants explored Ireland’s cultural heritage, celebrated the legacy of artists, writers, designers, and performers, and fostered dialogue through shared artistry.

“Mapping 1925 reminds us that art is not only about beauty—it is about connection. It connects us to our past, to each other, and to the future we are shaping together,” said Cathaoirleach Cllr David Collins at the launch.

The Tuam tapestry was one of two completed under the Galway Public Libraries community project - Mapping 1925: A Cultural Tapestry – which celebrates Ireland’s rich cultural achievements during a pivotal year in its history.

Supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, this initiative envisioned the creation of two original wall hangings for Tuam and Westside Libraries — artworks that honour resilience, creativity, and the spirit of transformation and a musical and poetic interpretation of both.

1925 was a landmark year in Irish cultural history, marked by achievements such as Liam O’Flaherty’s The Informer, Galway’s All-Ireland Football Championship victory, George Bernard Shaw’s Nobel Prize for Literature, and Harry Clarke’s iconic illustrations for Goethe’s Faust. The tapestry reflects these milestones while weaving in the social history, landscape, and identity of Tuam and its locality.

Reflecting on the project, Helen Flynn, artist and project facilitator, said, “It’s been the most extraordinary privilege to have worked alongside the creative communities of Tuam and Westside in response to ‘Mapping 1925 - A Cultural Tapestry’.

"Throughout our weekly workshops we all shared our deep appreciation for the history of Textile Expression and worked hard to help break down the barriers between craft and fine art. We each generously shared our skill sets, knowledge and encouraged one another to play with thread, to experiment, to try out new techniques and look at Textile Expression from a new vantage, appreciating the enormous rich history and heritage of traditional textiles but also our emerging modern and daring new Irish designers and artists. Beautiful friendships and camaraderie grew, a most precious legacy for any project to enjoy.”

Complementing the artwork, singer-songwriter Roisin Mannion composed A Stitch in Time, a melodic interpretation inspired by the design process and collaboration behind the tapestry. Her words: “Spools of thought across the table, hands move steady, sure as breath, The room begins in conversation, then settles to the sound of thread” carry the echo of conversations, the hum of creativity and the heartbeat of community.

Additional creative contributions that highlight the art and creativity of this tapestry include written pieces by Tuam’s Padraig Stevens and librarian Margaret Garvey, which will be displayed alongside the tapestry.

Jo Vahey, Librarian and Project Coordinator commented: “The project stands as a testament to what happens when creativity and community intertwine. The tapestry, born from shared hands and hearts, is more than art — it is living stories stitched into fabric, echoing the voices of Ireland’s past while inspiring its future. Through thread and melody, through word and song, we have celebrated not only the cultural brilliance of 1925 but the enduring spirit of collaboration and identity that binds us together.”

Designed as a legacy piece, Mapping 1925 will enhance Tuam Library for generations to come — a vibrant reminder of how heritage inspires innovation.