Iris - Tramore

'Iris' by Rory Breslin

Location – Lower Branch Road, Tramore
Scheme – Tramore Sewerage Scheme

Rory Breslin is based in Co. Mayo and has extensive experience of public art commissions.  A graduate of the National College of Art & Design, Dublin he went on to work in stone workshops in Wicklow and Carrera in Italy.  Further travels saw him working in bronze foundries in France, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He returned to Ireland where he co-founded the Head Sculpture Galleries in Temple Bar and Talbot St., Dublin and organised major sculptural exhibitions in the Royal Institute of Architects, Ireland and in the College of Technology, Dublin. He lectured in the Sculptural Department of the National College of Ireland for three years and has done specialist work for a number of film companies.

Well known public art commissions by him are ‘The Shell Picker’, Co. Clare, ‘Dandelions’ & ‘Bluebells’ both located in Co. Wexford & ‘Mart Scene’, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

The sculpture of ‘Iris’ in bronze is almost 5m high. Breslin says that this will be an emblematic talisman for the local community and the new park in Tramore. In our more environmentally aware society, the sculpture will also represent an acknowledgement of the flora and fauna of the region, bringing the wild and natural into the planned. This particularly handsome and distinctive flower was chosen because it inhabits wet areas and watersides. It is instantly recognisable to most people and although extremely common is like a ballerina in its graceful poise.