On a beautiful evening on Letterkenny’s Church Lane, the contribution to his home town of former councillor, the late Jim Lynch, was celebrated with the unveiling of a special plaque and mural.
The painting on the wall of No 3 Church Lane, features Jim watering some flowers and was officially unveiled by two of Jim’s granddaughters, Aoibh and Moya Kerr.
They were among a large number of family and friends who joined with members of the community for an event which also saw the official lighting of the Lawrence Collection Mural on the opposite side of the road on Church Lane.
The iconic photograph of Church Lane, taken over a century ago, was recreated by renowned artist Ciaran Dunlevy on a gable wall and will now be lit up at night.
Aoibh and Moya Kerr granddaughters of the late Jim Lynch who officially unveiled the plaque at the Jim Lynch mural. Photos: Brian McDaid
Ciaran was among those present at Thursday evening’s event and spoke of the pride he took in being asked to produce the mural which has drawn so much praise from locals and visitors alike.
Ciaran also recalled how, during his time working on the mural, he built up a special friendship with Jim Lynch who would pop along to the Church Lane every day to see his work in progress.
“He’d be down here everyday and he took a great interest in what was happening. It was very enjoyable,” he said, adding that Jim, in all that time and in typical fashion, actually thought his name was Kevin and not Ciaran.
“Unfortunately Jim passed away and we were thinking of a way in which we could pay tribute to him. The idea then gelled that we would have him watering the flowers.”
Mayor Ciaran Brogan, Donal Kelly , Paschal Blake and Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly at the unveiling.
Pointing out how Jim’s deep interest in the history of the Cathedral Quarter was clear to be seen, Ciaran added: “Everybody you meet is influencing everyone else in little ways and they might not even realise it. But in some ways, that’s how the world can become a better place
“And if you look at Church Lane, and you think about how it was previously, and what it looks like today, I think that’s a credit to everyone involved.
“This town has huge potential and it’s great to see it coming together.”
Paddy Bond senior and junior, from Bond Electrical who installed the lighting for the Lawrence Collection Mural in the Cathedral Quarter, pictured with Donnan Harvey.
Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Ciaran Brogan and Sean Purser, Chair of the Cathedral Quarter Committee, also addressed the event.
And on behalf of the Lynch family, Jim’s daughter Crona Kerr spoke of how proud her father would be to see the continuing progress in the Cathedral Quarter area.
“Dad believed in community spirit and keeping the stories of the place alive and that’s exactly what this mural does,” she said.
“And that’s why it feels so right to have it here in the Cathedral Quarter where he spent so much time and energy.”
Acknowledging the beautiful evening, and the arrival of spring, Crona said this time of year brings back fond memories of her dad who loved nature, and seeing new life appear.
She said the Cathedral Quarter Committee, by all their work and efforts, are breathing fresh life into the area.
“This mural isn’t just a painting, it’s a lovely reminder of dad and the community that he really cared about,” Crona added.
Patsy Lynch, a brother of Jim Lynch, at Thursday evening’s event.
Artist Ciaran Dunlevy who painted the murals, addresses the event.
Enjoying a cuppa and a catch-up at Cathedral Quarter on Thursday night.