Major community-developed art installation transforms Howth Junction and Donaghmede DART Station

29 November 2022

Young Artists share positive message of ‘Actually I Can’ across five areas

The transformation of Howth Junction and Donaghmede DART Station through a major community-developed art installation has been completed at the north Dublin transport hub.

Five major new artworks created by a group of young people from the area through Trinity Youth Services, and which have captivated station customers as they have progressed under the guidance of artists in recent weeks, have formally been unveiled.  The creative and educational collaboration between Trinity Youth Services, Iarnród Éireann, public art consultancy Fresco and their network of artists promotes themes identified by the youths participating, including:

• the local community, past and present
• Love of family
• Local biodiversity and activities
• The importance of positivity and belief in what you can achieve. 

Trinity Youth and Iarnród Eireann, with the assistance of artists Artur Oner and Arububu held workshops with young people from the local area to discuss their ideas and thoughts. A total of 15 young people, ranging in age from 10 to 16 years have worked on the project from first discussions, concept ideas and planning, to creation and site works.

Iarnród Éireann Buildings and Facilities Manager Joy Murray said “we have loved working with our local community in the area of Howth Junction and Donaghmede to complete this transformation of the station.  Rather than a standard re-paint of the station, we saw the potential to use it as a canvas and to build a bond to create a sense of ownership in the community for the station – particularly the young people.  We are grateful to the fifteen talented and creative young people, Fresco, our guiding artists, and the wider community for their support and contribution.  The station now projects the strength of this fantastic area to all who live here, pass through or pass by.”

Hannah Creevy from Fresco Consulting said: "Myself and the team were very proud to be part of this regeneration alongside Íarnród Éireann & Trinity Youth Service. This project was all about fostering that creative spark within the youth group and encouraging them to visualise a wonderful new space for their community, their friends & their families. So we would like to congratulate them for really putting in the work with the artists and helping to create these artworks! We hope that all those who use the station or simply pass through it will enjoy these vivid representations of the history and social fabric of Donaghmede."

Liz McGuinness from Trinity Youth said: “This has been an amazing project to be part of and the young people have really got stuck in and enjoyed it. We are very thankful to Joanne Bisset for asking us to take part and to the Artists that worked with the young people. The group where looked after so well and treated with great kindness and respect from both Artists and Joanne Its been such a pleasure meeting you all and watching you work side by side with our young people from Trinity Youth Service. 

As a youth worker I have seen such a difference in the young people from the beginning to the end of the project from the nerves at the initial workshops to them arriving onsite and feeling confident to pick up the spray can and work away with the support of the Artists. The young people will carry the memories and admire their work for many years to come.

Big thanks again to all that have looked after us and allowed us to be part of such an amazing project that has given our Community such a lift and the people within it a great sense of pride.”

Speaking at the Launch on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Larry O’Toole said: I am delighted that the youth of our community are engaging in such a positive way with this vital public service. The themes of  biodiversity and art so welcome. Often we hear negativity about our young people. But when we look around our communities there is no lack of evidence of the good and great things  that our youth are involved in. Well done!”