'Lego literally saved my life': Limerick man on the iconic brick
Gary Kirwan at home in Corbally, Limerick, with some of his Lego creations. He exhibits at Brick Shows Ireland, which were set up by his wife, Michelle. Picture: Brian Arthur
Rescues come in many guises — from CPR to life-changing encounters — but for Gary Kirwan it was a nostalgic childhood toy that helped bring him back from the brink of despair.
The 44-year-old Limerick man and his wife Michelle run Brick Shows Ireland, a company that was born out of Gary's love for the iconic Lego brick and his wife's determination that he be able to leave the house and share his talent with the outside world.
Despite losing 25 stone over the last few years, Gary still describes himself as being “shut-in” by his size.
When he was at his heaviest, his obesity confined him indoors, and it was his passion for Lego and the stunning exhibits he creates that helped him cope with the isolation.
Creating stunning pieces from his enormous collection, Gary's wife suggested he might share his passion and creativity with the rest of the world.
“You might say that my family and Lego kind of saved my life,” Gary told the . “They both played a part.
"The company is really Michelle’s. She started the shows as a way to encourage me to get out of the house.
"People were telling me that I had all this Lego and it was a shame that nobody got to see it.
"Michelle used this to motivate me and I suppose it worked because in the last few years I’ve lost 30 stone.
"At the time she said I should organise a show.
"When I continued to stay inside she took it upon herself to organise a small exhibit with all of my Lego.
"She is an amazing wife and person. I can only describe her as a saint for what she has done for me and what she has had to put up with.”
He describes how the brick shows have changed his life.
“I’m still quite heavy and there are periods where I wouldn’t go out that much. When I do go out I’m paranoid about people staring at me because I’m very big.
"The Lego shows offered me the chance to get out but also a safety net. When I go to a show, I’m no longer 'the fat guy.'
"Instead, they refer to me as 'the Lego guy.'
"At the start of the shows I’ll hear kids saying 'look, the Lego guy is here!'
"They no longer see my weight because all they see is the Lego.”
Gary says obesity poses huge challenges, both physically and psychologically.
"I find it very relaxing for myself personally. Whether it’s crocheting or knitting or anything else artistic, doing something creative with your hands is very powerful for the mind.
"It takes you away from whatever troubles you have at that point in time, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
"Whether you are following instructions or an idea in your head, you are actively thinking in a way that isn’t having a huge strain on your mind.”
His years of skill has seen him take Lego to an art form.
“I'm a bit of an odd one. I don't like building Lego sets because they give me migraines even though I can really appreciate them.
"I prefer to look to my imagination over an instruction manual.
"With the Lego shows I can be a bit more elaborate than the average person. I collect the parts months in advance so I always know what I’m building for the rest of the year.
"Every year I try to build something bigger and better than the previous shows.
"You can gauge from people’s reactions at the shows what they would like to see more of. The feedback is always really useful.
"Things normally last about a year or two until I break them apart and make something new.”
He reflected on the models he has built.
“The castle is probably my favourite one. I’ve had different iterations of the castle because it has evolved overtime. That’s probably my most impressive model.
"It's approximately 4m by 1.5m in size. I try to include as many minor details as possible. It has a thousand Lego figures in it.
Some of Gary’s creations are often mistaken for the real deal.
“I have three big vases with flowers in them. What many people don’t realise is that the flowers are actually made of Lego. It means they just walk past them without a second thought.
"When they find out they are Lego they’re gobsmacked. It’s lovely when you see that shock on their faces.”
Gary is always happiest in his Lego room.
“Organised chaos would be the best way of describing it,” he said.
"It’s just all in boxes but I also have a lot in storage. Lego models get dusty and dirty overtime. It’s a nightmare to clean so the only way to really save them is to keep them in storage.”
He said that Lego is particularly beneficial for children on the spectrum.
"I’m an adult on the spectrum myself, even though I’m very high functioning. I see how great it is for kids on the spectrum. This is mostly because they are expected to fit a world that just doesn’t conform to them.
"Lego allows them to build the world they want. This world fits around them and not the other way around. In that respect it’s a really beautiful medium.”
Gary, who has a 12-year-old son named Sam, enjoys sharing his passion with others.
“When you know tough life can be you start to enjoy showing people a different way to experience joy. I would never deny someone the chance to exhibit unless there is not enough room left at the show.
"Even in that scenario I’ll offer them the chance to exhibit at the next show that comes around.”
Twins Roan and Shay Gogarty, aged 12, who hail from Ballincollig, will be among the promising exhibitors featuring at Gary and Michelle’s upcoming Cork Brick Show, which takes place on January 26 from 11.30am to 2pm and from 2pm to 4.30pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Little Island.
They shared their excitement about being involved.
“When we went to one of the shows we got talking to Gary and he invited us to come and exhibit,” Roan said.
“He keeps inviting us back so we can’t be doing too badly. Our whole family is into Lego now. Mum has a collection of flowers along with our granny so we bring them along to the shows too. We have everything from castles to Star Wars and even a rugby pitch.”
Shay says the whole family, including dad James and mum Caitríona, have embraced their passion.
Their eight-year-old brother Donnacha also exbibits at the events.
Roan explains what Lego means to the family.
“I can’t say it’s brought me and Shay closer because we were already really close to begin with, but it is nice to be able to chat to each other while we build things.
"If anything it’s probably brought me closer to my granny. She loves Lego as well.”
Caitríona has watched her sons grow in confidence since exhibiting at the shows.
“There’s a bit of work in it but it’s great learning for them. They have to figure out what they are bringing, how it’s transported, and get a grasp on their overall time management.
"They don’t even realise that they’re learning from it because they’re having so much fun.
"What’s lovely about the shows is that there are kids exhibiting as well as adults.
"The kids attending will be much quicker to ask the boys a question than they would an adult.
"It offers them somebody they can relate to and models they can aspire to build.”
Tickets for the Cork Brick Show are available at www.eventbee.com/v/brickshowsireland/boxoffice/
Admission is €7 per person.
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