St Patrick’s Way and Art Trail

Fingal County Council is pleased to announce the launch of the St Patrick’s Way & Art Trail Skerries, developed by Fingal Arts Office with funding support from Fáilte Ireland’s Destination Towns Scheme, 2020–2023. This trail is designed to enhance the local and visitor experience of Skerries with mapboards and information located at key points on the trail that can be accessed as a 5km walk and enjoyed at multiple locations from Skerries Mills to South Strand, North Beach to the centre of the town. It includes a unique art trail featuring commissioned public artworks by five very exciting artists; Atsushi Kaga, Bennie Reilly, Liliane Puthod, Marie Farrington and Mary Conroy.

The Art Trail was developed by Fingal County Council’s Public Art Programme and the artists were selected from Fingal’s Public Art Panel to create a series of small-scale public art commissions, which respond to the landscape of Skerries. The commissioning process comprised of Artists Professional Development supports, including a partnership between Fingal’s Public Art Programme and Leitrim Sculpture Centre. The artists participated in a residency at Leitrim Sculpture Centre, which involved a range of masterclasses with a group of highly experienced Leitrim and regional artists. They explored hands on technical skills, such as stone carving, mould making, metal and enamel work.

We will continue to add to the experience of the trail with an engaging map created by well-known illustrator Aoife Dooley and in consultation with Skerries Autism Friendly town. The trail will have a social story for those accessing the experience who are neurodivergent. Later this year renowned Irish Sculptor Jackie McKenna will create a new artwork for the trail celebrating the significance of St Patrick. This work will form a central touchstone along the trail and promises to be very special.

The Mapboards which feature at key locations throughout the trail also include a QR code which link to further information on the history and the art trail.