Lackagh Native Nigel Keary has been widely praised for his presentation of Galway in 1641 which is currently on display in Galway City Museum as part of Heritage week. Nigel who is son of Michael and Monica Keary of Lackagh put together a huge 25 foot mural in a reconstruction painting of the town walls as it looked from the top of what is now Eyre Square.
Painting of Galway as is was in 1641—painting researched and painted by Nigel Keary now displaying in the Galway City Museum Ireland for one week. (Photo courtesy of Galway Memories on Facebook)
Nigel who qualified as a painter and decorator went on to study archaeology and decided to combine his experience and specialising on landscape archaeology. Having worked on murals and sign-writing, the biggest challenge for Nigel was putting his work on a larger scale. Nigel’s aim was to recreate Galway as it looked in 1641 a year that was significant as it was the start of the Irish Rebellion and within a few short years the Fort in Forthill which is a main feature of the painting would be no longer. The year of 1641 was the end of old Galway as many changes came into place within a few short years. The painting which depicts the value of Galway Bay and the Burren to the city is excellently presented and Nigel’s work went on display at Galway city museum on Friday last. Nigel outlined a presentation of his work to a dedicated and attentive audience and he answered many questions on his presentation afterwards. Nigel has also some commissioned smaller prints on his work which are for sale at Galway City Museum.
Nigel Keary now lives on Renmore in Galway city with his young family and is to be warmly congratulated on his wonderful works. Nigel’s work on the reconstruction painting of Galway’s town walls is on display in Galway City Museum for the rest of this week and is well worth a visit. Lackagh can be hugely proud of the wonderful work of this young man.
