Spirit of Place project unveiled in Cong

LANDMARK Pictured at the opening of the ‘Fishers of Men’ project in Cong, were, from left: Tony Clarke, Coillte; Professor Travis Price, Peter Hynes, Chief Executive, Mayo County Council;  Cllr Eileen Mangan, Cathaoirleach, Galway County Council; Cllr Richard Finn, Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council; Catherine McConnell, Galway County Council, Cllr Gerry Murray, Chairman of Claremorris Municipail District; Niall Rochford, Ashford Castle and Frank Flanagan, Forest Manager, Coillte. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

THE latest installation delivered in The Spirit of Place programme was unveiled in Cong on a glorious sunny afternoon recently. The project entitled ‘The Fishers of Men’ is a close collaboration between Professor Travis Price and architectural students from Catholic University in Washington, Mayo County Council, Galway County Council, Coillte, the OPW, and the local Cong Community.
The Spirit of Place programme is responsible for a number of architectural installations that have been put in place around Mayo over the last number of years, including the installation at Down- patrick Head, The Tale of the Tongs on Inishturk, and the Procession of the Souls installation at Swinford.
Founded by American architect and professor, Travis Price, FAIA, Spirit of Place-Spirit of Design is a design-build, educational programme for architecture students. The design process of the programme takes place over the period of a semester, while the construction phase takes place in nine days.
The Spirit of Place Cong project entitled, ‘About Fishers of Men’ was designed and put together by 30 architect students from the Catholic University under the stewardship of Travis Price, Professor of Architecture, along with five mosaic artists.
The installation celebrates the Fishers of Men understanding of the Gospel of Matthew in concert with the mysterious sun boat god, Mainiaman Mac Lir who commands the boat passages between the sun and the underwater voyages into the underworld. Both elements are deeply embedded in cultural and sacred stories of Celtic history in the Cong area of Mayo and Galway.

Workmanship
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Richard Finn, acknowledged everyone that contributed to the project and complimented the excellent workmanship.
“This project is a wonderful addition to Cong and the surrounding area. I have no doubt that it will add to the visitor numbers to Cong and will become an attraction in its own right. This project fits seamlessly and complements the other stunning attractions in and around Cong.”
The event was attended by large numbers including the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Eileen Mangan, Cllr Damien Ryan and Cllr Gerry Murray from Mayo County Council, together with officials from Galway and Mayo County Council, representatives from Coilte, Ashford Castle, IPB, McGrath Quarries, and the wider Cong Community.
Chief Executive at Mayo Council, Peter Hynes said: “I would like to acknowledge all agencies, business and community involved here in what has resulted in an outstanding installation. I would like to compliment Travis Price and his team for delivering this stunning Spirit of Place project for Cong. Everyone who contributed to this project can be immensely proud of their achievement knowing that they have provided a valuable asset to Cong and the surrounding area.”