19.03.2015
Pupils from St Columba’s National School Make their Mark at Croke Park
Pupils of St Columba’s National School, North Strand, saw the culmination of nearly two years’ work with the unveiling of a special mosaic in Croke Park Stadium yesterday (March 18). Entitled Conas a fuair Cú Chulainn a ainm (How Cú Chulainn got his name), the mosaic was unveiled by Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail.
The project was created by the children from the Church of Ireland primary school and was supported by Croke Park through its local community fund. Their mosaic is now hanging in the inner Cusack Stand concourse and will be viewed by many thousands of visitors making their way into the stadium each year.
Speaking as he unveiled the mosaic, President Ó Fearghail said: “When you give children the opportunity to express themselves, extraordinary things can happen. The mosaic I am unveiling today is testament to this belief. The children’s eye–view and perspective of Irish heritage and myth has fused effortlessly with their modern day influences from social media and video games. It is our hope that this wonderful piece will hang in Croke Park for years to come and that many of the children here today will one day bring their own children to the stadium to see the mosaic their parents created”.
He added that the creation of the mosaic had been all about partnerships with staff from Croke Park working with the pupils and teachers, volunteers and the artists to bring the mosaic to life. He thanked everyone who gave their time to support this special community project.
Funding for the mosaic was received from the Croke Park Community Fund which allocates €100,000 each year to local community groups based within 1.5km of the stadium. Stadium Director Peter McKenna was also involved in this special community project and visited the school last November with Galway Hurling Captain and GAA star Joe Canning. During their visit, they took part in one of the mosaic art classes and answered questions from the children.
Speaking at the launch, Mr McKenna said the mosaic gave an insight into how seriously Croke Park takes its relationship with the local community. “The Community Fund is just one of our Community Gain Initiatives undertaken here in the stadium, and since 2009, the fund has allocated nearly €600,000 to local community groups, schools, clubs and associations. Through the Fund, we have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the local community and we’re very proud of what local groups accomplish with our support,” he stated.
Ann Creaner, Principal of St Columba’s National School, said that the project was a symbol of all that was good in the community. “It has been a great experience working with artists Ulrika Holmquist and Fionnuala Halpin to create something special which will be a part of Croke Park for many years to come. The children and the whole school community value the relationship with the GAA. The mosaic is the product of nearly two years of cooperation between the community and Croke Park and is a celebration of all that is good in our area,” she said at the launch.
Photo from the launch courtesy of the GAA.