Here we are again still
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| Artist Name(s) | Christian O'Reilly |
| Artwork title | Here we are again still |
| Context/Background | The Walter Macken apartments are located in Mervue, one of the oldest suburbs in Galway City. The apartment blocks are some of the oldest social housing developments in Galway. In 2004 refurbishment of the 96 dwellings began. The refurbishment works included the replacement of the flat roofs, the installation of energy efficient central heating, plumbing, rewiring, internal refurbishment and the upgrading of the general environment of the estate. The remedial works were completed in 2005. The apartments are named after one of Galway's most renowned literary figures, Walter Macken. Mungo's Mansion, written in 1947 by Walter Macken, was drawn from the stories of families who lived in the tenement buildings opposite the Taibhdhearc. Through this play Walter Macken developed a style which would be prevalent throughout his life's work, which involved the use of personal biography, elements of stories he was a told, and personal traits of the people he met and lived with: the story of ordinary people. The aim of the commission was to reflect on this context through a new theatre commission which would encourage the development of local theatre, to engage with the local community in Walter Macken Place and to publicly disseminate a new play of lasting quality, providing a unique insight into the context of Walter Macken Place and Galway. |
| Description | In Spring 2008, Megs Morley, Public Arts Officer at Galway City Council, commissioned the artist to write a play as a Per Cent for Art project at Walter Macken Place, Mervue, Galway. Walter Macken Place is a social housing development of 96 apartments, the majority of which are occupied by elderly residents. |
| Biographies | Born in London and brought up in Listowel, Christian O'Reilly writes for theatre, film, television and radio. His one-act play, It Just Came Out, was staged by Druid as part of its Debut series (2001). His first full-length play, The Good Father, produced by Druid and directed by Garry Hynes (Galway Arts Festival 2002, national tour 2003), was the joint winner of the 2002 Stewart Parker Trust New Playwright Bursary. His most recent play, Is this about Sex?, was produced by Rough Magic and directed by Lynne Parker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the 50th Dublin Theatre Festival (2007). It received the ZeBBIE for Best Theatre Script at the 2008 Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild Awards. Other plays include Problem Solvers Anonymous and It Won't Be Great When I'm Not Here (Dublin Fringe Festival 2004). For youth theatre he has written Treble, commissioned by Abbey Outreach, and Teacher for Galway Youth Theatre (Galway Arts Festival 2005). |
| Commission Type | The Arts Council,Local Authority |
| Commissioner Name | Galway City Council |
| Commissioning process | Direct commission |
| Project commission dates | March 1, 2008 - October 31, 2009 |
| Public Presentation dates | September 22, 2009 - October 31, 2009 |
| Partners | Galway Arts Centre |
| Artform | Theatre |
| Art Practice | Arts Participation |
| Funded By | Galway City Council |
| Percent for art | Yes |
| Budget Range | 35000 - 70000 euro |
| Project commission start date | 01/03/2008 |
| Project commission end date | 31/10/2009 |
| Location | Walter Macken Place |
| County | Galway |
| Google Map Insert | View this projects location |
| Content contributor(s) | Megs Morley |
| Relationship to project | Public Art Officer, Galway City Council |
| Public engagement | The residents of Walter Macken Place, the Communtiy of Mervue, Galway, and the wider public of Galway City. The play will also tour Limerick City and Listowel, Kerry. |
| Associated professionals / Specialists involved | Catherine Simon, Professional Drama Facillitator |
