Iora Nua sculpture unveiled in Newtownforbes
Temporary public art project brings squirrels to four locations around county
22 February 2022
Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Peggy Nolan has officially unveiled the Iora Nua sculpture at the gates of Castle Forbes in Newtownforbes Village.
Iora Nua (‘Iora’ is the Irish for Squirrel) is a partnership project with County Longford Arts Office and is funded by the Creative Ireland programme and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The culmination of a three-year project involving Mide Arts Group and sculptor Tom Duffy, “Mr Nuts” – the eight-foot-tall, multi-coloured fibre glass squirrel was ‘released’ into nature at the same location that the infamous grey squirrel was released 111 years ago.
Welcoming the project, County Arts Officer Fergus Kennedy said, “Longford County Council is delighted to partner on this project. Given the challenging time that we have just come through, art brightens up neighbourhoods and has a positive impact on citizen well-being, tourism and the local economy”.
Mide member and project founder Shane Crossan explained “Iora Nua is a temporary public art project intended to support the enhancement of towns and villages, by bringing some colour and fun to the built environment”.
“Mr Nuts” is decorated with colourful leaves representing Ireland’s four native trees and the squirrel’s natural environment – the oak, the beech, the sycamore, and the chestnut. The launch, on Friday, 18 February, was attended by members of Newtownforbes Tidy Towns and Biodiversity and Heritage Trail Group, who came out to welcome their newest neighbour.
“Mr Nuts” is one of four Squirrels commissioned in 2022 to be unveiled in each of Longford’s three municipal districts later this year. The commissioned artists include Mary Fleming, Phil Atkinson and Kevin Flood. In May, the new squirrels will arrive at locations in Granard, Ballymahon and Longford town.
ENDS
All media queries should be directed to the Longford County Council Communications Officer via mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or by calling 043 33 43362.
