Mural honours legacy of Cork's ‘Coalquay Queen’ Kathy Barry

A new mural, honouring the legacy and lasting influence of Cork’s ‘Coalquay Queen’, Kathy Barry has been unveiled as part of the second and final installation of the New Light Through Old Windows project.

The initiative, which is a community arts project championed by Cork City Partnership, began in 2025, bringing together residents of the Corporation Buildings and members of the Coalquay Shawlies.

Led by community artist Davy Dummigan, the project explored the history of Kathy Barry, the renowned street trader and publican who operated her famous Sibín from the Corporation Buildings.

Through a series of workshops, participants reflected on the area’s heritage, shared local knowledge and memories, and developed creative compositions inspired by Kathy Barry’s story.

The creative work generated through these workshops inspired the project’s second and final installation, a large-scale mural on Paul’s Avenue, created by Mr Dummigan.