Striking Dead Man’s Point murals have safety message

A SERIES of striking murals promoting messages around water safety have appeared at a popular swimming location in Rosses Point.

The paintings were recently completed in the Dead Man’s Point area, which is used by sea swimmers and is also often used for big swims on occasions such as New Year’s Day.

€3,500 was raised on GoFundMe on behalf of the sea swimmers by

Summerhill College

Tuohy.

Pat explained that a safety audit was held between Sligo County Council and Sligo Surf Lifesaving. This prompted the idea to enhance the area with helpful messages for all swimmers – particularly those not familiar with the area.

“Recently a lot of people were enjoying the beautiful environment around Sligo for swimming and one of the places was Rosses Point,” he said. teacher

Pat

“I am a swimmer all my life, I felt that we should invest in an area that gives so many people such pleasure and asks nothing in return. Rosses Point Development Association has done such great work around the village for everyone. I know there is going to be investment in the future in relation to outdoor showers, toilets and facilities and I felt we should play our part in this great work. I felt a GoFundMe would be a good idea to enhance the swimming area and a lot of people supported it, raising just over €3,500 in a short space of time. That money went to the Rosses Point Development Association.”

The murals were created by artist Nik Purdy whose work can be seen around Sligo town with his impressive depictions of William Butler Yeats and Maud Gonne on the sides of large buildings.

“We had the idea that a mural with a water safety theme would give people the information without telling people what to do. I ended up chatting to Nick Purdy who has a sailing and outdoors background, he knew where we were coming from, and he come up with a few ideas. We are very happy with how everything came out and the feedback has been very positive. Thank you to all the people who donated funds to make this happen.”

It is hoped that after the thorough cleaning and treating of the walls before the murals were applied that they will last for at least a decade.

PHOTO BY FRANCES MULDOON Sligo County Council water safety officer Pete Murtagh, artist Nik Purdy of Blow Designs, Metal Man Swim Series co-ordinator Shane O’Doherty and project co-ordinator Patrick Tuohy.