Roscommon Town unveiled a new Poetry Laneway on National Poetry Day on 25 May. Chapel Lane, a historically significant town path, now features specially commissioned poems by contemporary authors Jane Clarke, Louise G Cole, and Dani Gill.
Each poem is presented and mounted on a purpose-built light box and is accompanied by an original musical piece composed by Phil Robson that can be accessed via a QR code. All the pieces of music form a soundscape that tells the stories behind the poems.
Mary Smyth, Public Art & Engagement Coordinator for Roscommon County Council, presided over the inauguration and underscored the significance of the laneway as a communal gathering space.
For her poem, ‘Mid-Summer Evening’, project curator Dani Gill drew inspiration from the laneway’s history and the philanthropic efforts of the Sisters of Mercy in Roscommon. “It was an unexpected showing of feminist activism that I found inspiring. The Sisters brought financial aid to women and had vision for development in the community,” she said.
Photo: Brian Farrell
Louise G Cole and Jane Clarke also shared their creative processes, with Cole finding inspiration from Chapel Lane’s rich history for her poem ‘In Chapel Lane, Light Shines’. “I was inspired by the actual place. Distilling the wonderful history of Chapel Lane into a single poem was quite a challenge, but I’m honoured to have had [this] opportunity,” she said. For her poem ‘The Well’, Clarke was drawn to the story of the St Coman’s Well, and said, “My poem was inspired by reading about the origins of Roscommon Town, [and] that it all began with a well in a field.”
The Poetry Laneway is part of the innovative Living Laneways programme, conceived by artist Rhona Byrne and GKMP Architects, which aims to transform public spaces in Roscommon Town. Future installations include a Mosaic Laneway and sculpture.
Arts Officer Rhona McGrath shared the valuable role of public art in fostering community connections, while musician Phil Robson expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to this culturally enriching project.
The laneway enhancements are the final touches of the Roscommon Town Main Street and Market Square Public Realm Project, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of Project Ireland 2040, with additional support from Roscommon County Council.