The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Well Joe Brolly, what do think of Mike’s mural?’
TRALEE artist Mike O’Donnell’s latest creation is one that’s sure to reverberate all the way to County Derry after Mike revived a memorable Kieran Donaghy riposte following the 2014 All-Ireland final when Joe Brolly questioned Kerry’s ability to produce new players.
Mike’s silhouette of ‘Star’ is located near the Kevin Barry Roundabout in Rock Street, which serves as a further reminder of the locality’s footballing tradition.
Mike’s sketches are creating plenty of discussion in recent weeks and this latest one is sure to please Kerry football followers as they drive through this busy part of town.
One of Mike’s motivations for painting murals is that it brings him into contact with Tralee people. Striking up conversations and meeting people for a chat is an aspect of his work that he enjoys most.
The Barry sisters (Anne, Sarah and Marina) were doing a spot of tidying at the roundabout named after their late father, Kevin - when they gave the thumbs up to Mike’s mural. Marina is the holder of 10 All-Ireland football medals with Kerry, adding substance to the view that in Kerry you don’t have to venture very far to meet an All-Ireland champion.
Mike described doing the mural as a day of ‘laughter, fun, cheering, beeping of car horns and plenty of yarns’. “At the end of my work it was so delightful to meet the Barry sisters,” Mike said.
“They did a great job tidying up their dad’s roundabout. The late Kevin was a lovely man. He and my late father, Paddy, both played for the Rock and they won an All-Ireland minor medal with Kerry together in 1950.”
Mike is back home in Tralee again having spent the last six years working abroad. He is currently enjoying devoting more time to art, which is his passion.