Fingal County Council launches public artwork ''Harry’s Wall'' by Artist John Kindness

Fingal County Council Arts Office is delighted to present  a new public artwork by Irish Artist John Kindness, titled ‘Harry’s Wall’, located on Harry Reynold’s Road (Hampton Woods), Balbriggan.

The artwork was created by renowned Irish artist John Kindness celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary local cyclist Richard Henry ‘Harry’ Reynolds (1874–1940), known as ‘The Balbriggan Flyer’. Mr. Kindness worked with heritage stonemasons, Jack and Tom Cripps, and ceramics expert, Gus Mabelson, as part of the project.

This commission was funded by the National Transport Authority under the Per Cent for Art Scheme from Fingal County Council’s Harry Reynolds Road Pedestrian & Cycle Route Project and was delivered in collaboration with the Our Balbriggan Regeneration Programme.
 

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy announced, “The completion of Harry’s Wall marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing rejuvenation of Balbriggan. It highlights the importance of our community by celebrating Balbriggan's own Harry Reynolds. We are very grateful to all those who have contributed to this artwork throughout the project.”

Fingal County Council Chief Executive, AnnMarie Farrelly commented, “Fingal County Council is grateful for the collaboration with esteemed artist John Kindness who has created something very special with Harry’s Wall. This stunning public artwork has been created in collaboration with the local community in a place that was home to ‘The Balbriggan Flyer’ and will serve to honour the memory and legacy of Harry Reynolds for generations to come.”

 

Artist Mr. Kindness was invited by Fingal County Council Arts Office to research ideas for a unique artwork for the evolving town of Balbriggan. His concepts were warmly received by the community during several site visits and presentations and were welcomed during the installation itself by locals. 

Speaking about this recent piece of work, John Kindness stated: “Although everybody in Balbriggan knows ‘Harry Reynolds Road’, few people will know much about the man it was named for.  While it is not the artist’s job to document a person’s life, an artist can produce something that will create an image in people’s minds and maybe encourage them to find out more.''

''The traditional portrait, if it is well observed, does this, and in some ways what I have designed is a kind of portrait of Harry Reynolds. There will be some images taken from photographic records of Harry on his bike. Those who do know of him will associate him with his cycling triumphs, but there was Harry the operatic singer, the powerful swimmer, the close friend of Oliver Gogarty. He turns up in numerous press cuttings, as a champion cyclist, a champion of Irish independence, a hero in a drowning incident and a more prosaic appearance in a police court (cycling without lights).''

Caroline Cowley, Deputy Arts Officer for Public Art in Fingal commented, “John brings so much experience and generosity to the process of developing a work like this - from sharing his beautiful sketches to genuinely listening to observations from the local community on his numerous visits to the town. The work of John Kindness is also a significant part of Fingal County Council’s Municipal Art Collection and it is amazing that we have been able to bring the scope of his work from drawing to ceramics to life in Balbriggan with Harry’s Wall.”

‘Harry’s Wall’ acts as an understated memorial to Reynolds. Modifying the existing wall with a traditional stone-built section, it includes recesses filled with ceramic inclusions featuring various stories from the life and times of Harry’s celebrated career and his enduring presence in the town.

From a distance specks of different colours will be seen among the stones, and on closer inspection these will turn out to be a variety of ceramic elements in terracotta, blue & white stoneware and low relief tiles.”

As part of the Active Travel scheme, a 3km well-lit pedestrian and cycle-link route between Drogheda Street and Hamilton Road in Balbriggan was provided. This serves several local school campuses as well as offering a safe cycling and walking route to facilities and community amenities. It is a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and promoting active travel in Balbriggan. This artwork is set to become a point of interest for locals and visitors using the cycleway contributing to the town’s enhancement programme. 

Find out more: Harry's Wall Balbriggan | Fingal County Council