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STREET ART
Image: Clare Keogh
AUDIO TOUR
Step into Pure Cork Art
You can now take a self-guided audio tour at your own leisure throughout the city of the 7 murals in total. The Ardú Street Art Project have provided information on the artists that created the murals and also the artwork themes to give you a further insight into the project. All the walls are marked on a map to help you find your way.​
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ARDÚ STREET ART
Corks Contemporary Street Art Project
Ireland’s top contemporary street artists partnered in 2020 to bring creative positivity to Cork City with a focus on local talent too.​
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The Ardú Street Art Project has one featured artwork on Harley Street, a beautiful, contemporary and modern backdrop to our street food market.
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Ardú arrived in Cork October 2020 injecting a burst of colour, vibrancy, and life into the city in lockdown. Uniting the Leeside community through art, lifting its creative and community spirit at a time when it needed it most.
Seven of Ireland’s most respected and renowned street artists were invited to create key city-centre locations, in response to a theme inspired by the 1920 Burning of Cork. Find work by Deirdre Breen at Wandesford Quay, Maser at The Kino, James Earley at Henry Street, Peter Martin at Kyle Street, Shane O’Driscoll at Harley Street, Aches at Anglesea Street, and Garreth Joyce at Liberty Street.
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Ardú – the Irish for ‘Rise’ – bases itself on a theme of nostalgia and celebration. Cork City rose from the ashes 100 years ago following the Burning of Cork, and now faces the challenge to rise again. Street art is the ideal medium for the times we live in. We’re delighted to present Ardú to the public, in a safe space where you can interpret the murals outdoors, and at a social distance from each other. At a time when we face shared and personal challenges, each of our artist’s murals are a rallying cry to the city – a call to remember that we have been through terrible times before and we rose up. We can do it again. Join us for a celebration of Cork city’s traditions, history, and resolution.
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HANDS OF HOPE
A Trigon Hotels Initiative
The ‘Hands of Hope’ Initiative, on Harley Street is a bespoke art piece created in collaboration with Artist Kevin O Brien of Mad Abot Cork, Cope Foundation and with the sponsorship of Pat McDonnell Paints.
The work aims to raise spirits of people living and visiting Cork and endorse and strengthen community connections.
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Team members from Trigon Hotels, Cope Foundation and Ability@Work came together and placed their hand prints on the wall which symbolises the uniting of communities. They are hoping that as people pass the wall on Harley Street they will be reminded of how resilient and courageous they have been over the past year and will continue to be hopeful for the future.
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Trigon Hotels has been running a partnership with Cope Foundation and its Ability@Work programme over the last year. Ability@Work is part of Cope Foundation, and is a programme that provides work preparation training and employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities or autism. It promotes inclusive workplaces by encouraging Cork employers to open their doors and include everyone.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a positive symbol of hope for the city. Trigon Hotels’ partnership with Cope Foundation and Ability@work Cork is so important in providing people with intellectual disabilities and autism valuable life skills and employment opportunities.
"Covid-19 has brought significant challenges to all of our lives, but it is wonderful to see these organisations working together to make a real difference to so many”.
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Aaron Mansworth, Managing Director of Trigon Hotels said: “Two years ago Trigon Hotels embarked on a journey to ensure employment opportunities were accessible to all regardless of different abilities. We are very proud of our collaboration with Cope Foundation as it allows us to create job opportunities for people supported by Cope Foundation.
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"We look forward to working with the organization on much needed fundraising and awareness raising initiatives. The partnership shares a vision for a more inclusive Cork and will continue to fund exciting projects that support people to live life their way and continue to support a more inclusive workplace.”
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Take photos and share your snaps with us!
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#HandsOfHope
#HarleysStrEAT