Cork in 50 Artworks, No 45: Mural of Terence MacSwiney on Liberty St
A man stops to look at artist Garreth Joyce at work on his Terence MacSwiney mural titled 'Those who suffer the most will prevail'.Picture: Clare Keogh
Terence MacSwiney’s death was one of the most significant events of the War of Independence. MacSwiney was a poet, playwright and republican activist, and he had recently been elected Lord Mayor of Cork when he was jailed on charges of sedition in August 1920. He joined the hunger strike initiated by republican prisoners at Cork County Gaol, and continued when he was transferred to Brixton Prison. His passing, after 74 days refusing food, caused an international outcry, and his funeral on October 31 was attended by thousands.
In 2020, MacSwiney became the subject of a mural on Liberty St, Cork, completed by local artist Garreth Joyce as part of the Ardú street art project. That scheme, supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, now comprises 11 murals around the city centre.
