A public art residency by traditional musician and songwriter John Tunney and photographer and accordion player Christy McNamara, working with 90 clients at the Kilmaley Daycare Centre to develop three songs about the people of Kilmaley.  

Beginning in 2007, Clare County Council's public art programme worked in close collaboration with Kilmaley Voluntary Housing Association in the development of this unique public art residency. This residency was awarded to Traditional Musician and Songwriter John Tunney who worked directly with the 90 clients in attendance at the Kilmaley Daycare Centre in the development of three new songs written in and about the people of Kilmaley. 

John wrote the three new songs in the following traditional styles:
Goltraí: a sad song or lament. Titled In the Shadow of Slievecallan
Geantraí: a lively song. Titled The Boys and The Girls of Kilmaley
Suantraí: a soothing song, in this case a lullaby. Titled O Ghlúin go Glúin

In May 2009 the residency process culminated in a public singing session. This session featured the artist showcasing the three new songs along with the clients singing songs that have informed the song writing process.

Also as part of this residency photographer and accordion player Christy McNamara was commissioned to document the working relationship built by John Tunney and the clients at Kilmaley Daycare Centre.

This project was funded through the Per Cent for Art Scheme which specifically focuses on the commissioning of new contemporary art projects in connection with the development of Capital Construction Projects. In this case the building of Kilmaley Daycare Centre in 2003. The Per Cent for Art Scheme gives the Irish public the opportunity to experience a vast range of contemporary art in their everyday life.

According to Annette Moloney, Artistic Director of the Public Art Programme:

"Memory can be a particularly important force in all our lives. Clare County Council's Public Art Programme was in very privileged position during the commissioning process to be able witness a particularly skilled artist, John Tunney, in his process of building trusting and creative relationships with the clients of Kilmaley Daycare Centre. In doing so he was able to capture some of the many memories of the clients which have gone on to inspire three contemporary songs in a Traditional Irish style."

Etain McCooey, Acting Clare Arts Officer pointed out:

"This is one of the first Per Cent for Art projects in Ireland to use the traditional arts, traditional song in this case, as the primary artform. Per Cent for Art projects in the past have traditionally yielded sculptures but the Kilmaley Voluntary Housing Association Committee were very creative and forward thinking and now we have a beautiful project which is a prototype for other projects and artists in Ireland."

Carmel O'Brien, a member of Kilmaley Daycare Centre's committee also worked intensively on the project and is a talented singer herself. She is delighted with how the project has developed stating:

"The housing scheme and Daycare Centre have become a central aspect of the Parish life of Kilmaley. This project has built on the community spirit among the residents and Daycare Centre clients which we now want to share with the wider Kilmaley community as well as the rest of County Clare."

Full-page coverage and interview with the artist in The Clare People newspaper

Coverage on Lyric FM Culturefile

Detailed interview on Clare FM

John Tunney has been living in Ennis for the last eight years but hails from Co. Donegal where his family were steeped in traditional song, music and storytelling. His father Paddy Tunney was a much loved and well respected singer throughout the country who composed a significant repertoire of songs, most of which can be heard sung at sessions and Fleadhs around the country. In this project Tunne has been working as artist-in-residence, or in this case songwriter-in-residence, at the day care centre. During this time he and the clients have been singing songs and learning songs from each other's repertoire.

Christy McNamara's photography is known far and wide. The Spancil Hill photographer has photographed many musicians, including U2, The Pogues and a range of traditional musicians. Christy has been visually documenting the project since January 2009 and will showcase some of the new photographs at the singing recital.

Over 90 elderly clients at Kilmaley Daycare Centre. The event was also attended by over 100 people on 23 May 2009

Christy McNamara, Photographer
Jim Armour, Audio Recording Specialist
Mags O'Sullivan, Evaluator