The rich culture and heritage of Co Monaghan is being celebrated in style this summer. Monaghan Murals is an initiative that was spearheaded by Darren McCreesh of the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen and Liam Bradley from the County Monaghan Museum.
It explores aspects of the county's culture, natural world and shared history, and has resulted in murals on the streets of the county's towns that tap into specific attributes in each area. The mural in Ballybay which was designed by internationally renowned artist, Maser, depicts the rich wetlands of the town and has captured the imagination locally.
Mr McCreesh added that it's incumbent on the people of Co Monaghan to reflect on the past and recognise their own heroes, and the mural initiative is a "wonderful way" in which to do that because it reaches people of all ages and backgrounds.
"I think it's incumbent on us to reflect on our past and to recognise our own cultural heroes, and those things like our native plants that are germane to Monaghan," he continued. "Especially in the context of climate action and the climate crisis.
"We must be able to look at our environment objectively and actively recognise the value of certain plants that rely on biodiversity and a slower version of agricultural activity. And, Ballybay is of particular interest because it is so intimately connected with agriculture."
