No more plain sailing!

The iconic sails sculpture in Eyre Square has received a makeover this week thanks to students from Tirellan Heights National School. 

The students’ colourful patchwork project, which contains 2,086 patches, was unveiled on Monday, with Mayor of Galway City Hildegarde Naughton officially launching the initiative in Eyre Square yesterday.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Tirellan NS teacher Karla Bödeker explained that she had come across a book called ‘Urban Knits’ while shopping at Christmas and was inspired to do something with students in her school for the local community. 

“I mentioned it to the principal, Mrs Dillon, and a colleague, Maura Brown, and they thought it was a great idea too,” said Ms Bödeker. 

The school then approached Galway City Council for permission and once this was granted, children at the school were asked if they would be interested in taking part. Although vandalism was a huge possibility, the children were extremely excited, according to Ms Bödeker. 

The project began mid-February with most of the children unable to knit. “Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends were great at helping out, showing the children how to knit,” said Ms Bödeker, adding that local store Anthony Ryan’s donated a voucher to cover the costs of some of the wool needed.

Almost 135 children from Tirellan National School were involved in the project, ranging in age from eight to 13-year-olds. Teachers, Special Needs Assistants, the caretaker and council workers all helped to make the project happen. The school’s rock band also performed at Tuesday’s official launch.

“It was an awful lot of work but the children were really excited about the whole thing,” said Ms Bödeker.

The exhibit was guarded from 5pm on Monday until 10.30am Tuesday ahead of the official launch. The school have been granted permission for the patchwork to be displayed in Eyre Square for a week but this will be extended providing it is not vandalised.

 “We’ll see how it goes tonight when there’s no security. It depends on the good will of people,” said Ms Bödeker.