Local volunteers to the fore in ‘mosaic table top’ project

Working closely with visual artist Katie Nolan, volunteers associated with Fermoy Resource Centre have created a number of once off mosaic table tops.

The eye catching tables were unveiled at a ceremony held in the grounds of Fermoy Resource Centre on Monday, March 14th. Speaking in his capacity as Deputy Mayor of Cork County, Glanworth’s Cllr. O’Flynn said the local authority stood ready at all times to assist community focused projects.

“In my capacity as a public representative, I’m well aware of the work that goes on in Fermoy Resource Centre. It’s a fantastic facility that benefits from the immense contribution of volunteers. With regard to the visual art project that Katie Nolan has overseen, I have to say it’s very impressive,” he said. He went on to acknowledge the contribution of Cork County Council’s Arts officer, Ian McDonagh.

For her part, Katie Nolan said the mosaic table tops project had met challenges along the way such as Covid, but had triumphed thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of volunteers.

“My vision encompassed a desire for volunteers to express themselves through the visual arts and to be involved in a process of hands on creative endeavour,” she said.

Resource Centre chairman, Seamus Aherne, also endorsed the project. In his remarks, he outlined the transformation of Fermoy Resource Centre from a former Garda/RIC barracks to a social hub that accommodates a variety of activities and voluntary groups.

MC for the event was HSE Community Health Officer, Jacinta McCormack. She thanked everyone associated with the project, especially Katie Nolan, the volunteers and Fermoy Resource Centre staff. Public representatives in attendance on the day included Cllr. William O’Leary, Cllr. Kay Dawson and Cllr. Noel McCarthy.

USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS

Bases for the tables were sourced by Jacinta McCormack, with assistance from Gerry Feerick and Kevin McCormack. Second hand tiles were used for the table tops, which incorporate the themes of: tree of life, hands holding a bowl, Kent Bridge Fermoy and the River Blackwater, along with the Celtic unity knot.

The end result are pieces of arts that have a practical application as coffee tables. Robust and attractive, they stand as testament to the creativity and hard work of Fermoy Resource Centre volunteers.

John Ahern) (Pic: Fermoy Resource Centre volunteers who were involved in creating a set of four mosaic table tops, in association with visual artist, Katie Nolan, l-r: Anne Feerick, Geraldine Buckley, Margaret Mulkeen, Marie Byrne, Sheila Parker, Edel Woolrich and Kathleen O’Keeffe.

John Ahern) (Pic: BOWLED OVER: HSE Community Health Officer, Jacinta McCormack and chairman of Fermoy Resource Centre, Seamus Aherne, trying out one of the new mosaic coffee tables, which were unveiled recently at a ceremony in the centre. The table featured has the theme ‘Hands Holding A Bowl’, acknowledging the centre’s role in proving a Meals On Wheels service. All 4 tables were created using recycled materials.

(Pic: John Ahern) At the visual arts ceremony held in the grounds of Fermoy Resource Centre on Monday, March 14th were l-r: Cllr. Noel McCarthy, Cllr. Kay Dawson, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Cllr. William O’Leary, Katie Nolan (visual artist), Jacinta McCormack (event co-ordinator), Seamus Aherne (Fermoy Resource Centre chairman) and Ian McDonagh (Arts officer with Cork County Council).

(Pic: John Ahern) Attendees at the unveiling of mosaic table tops in Fermoy Resource Centre.