Roddy’s work gets new platform

NORTHSIDE author Roddy Doyle visited Kilbarrack Train Station last week to read excerpts from his Barrytown trilogy at the launch of a new mural celebrating his work.

Members of the Reach Out Project, a programme run by the Kilbarrack Coastal Community Programme (KCCP), created the mural which has been installed at the station.  

It is designed to help 18 to 25-year-olds from the area, who are struggling with a variety of psychosocial pressures, such as addiction or mental health conditions.

The programme uses creativity as a means of helping these young people to express themselves and realise their full potential. 

KCCP created the original murals at the station, which feature scenes from Italia ‘90. 

The company contacted KCCP to see if they would be interested in updating the murals and they were delighted to come onboard.

Italia ‘90, which lives on in the nation’s psyche as a glorious period in our recent history has been replaced with images from the infamous Barrytown trilogy by Roddy Doyle. 

On the day, Roddy read from his famous books and met people from the community which gave his imagination such rich content for his work.

Members of the Reach Out programme worked with internationally renowned street artist, Solus, to come up with the content of the mural.

They were so inspired by his guidance and creativity they created another mural, featuring famous local people, which was also unveiled on the day.

These murals will now join the recently created mental health awareness mural that was designed and painted by students from Manor Park School.

Speaking at the event, Iarnród Éireann Passenger Services Manager for the area, John Reville, said: “We are proud to serve the community of Kilbarrack and I would like to congratulate each member of the Kilbarrack Coastal Community Programme, for their creativity in bringing characters from the Barrytown trilogy to life in such a vivid way. 

“It is great that it will be here at the station for many years to come, for our customers to enjoy.”

Tiernan Williams, from the Kilbarrack Coastal Community Programme, said: “It has been an honour working with an artist as brilliant as Solus and the young people in the Reach Out programme have really enjoyed it.”

Local councillor Daryl Barron (FF) said: “I’m delighted to unveil this inspiring mural in Kilbarrack, the creativity of the many young people involved and renowned street artist Solus for the amazing work which will be enjoyed by thousands of commuters every day.”

Declan Byrne of KCCP said: “It’s been an honour working with an artist as brilliant as Solus and the young people in the Reach Out project have really enjoyed it.”