Meet the artists behind the new flags reimagining Galway’s tribes for Culture Night
Artists from Ireland and abroad will see their work fly over Galway city’s streets during Culture Night as part of a major exhibition celebrating belonging, identity and community.
Under the theme ‘Le Chéile – The Architectures of Belonging’, not-for-profit local organisation Architecture at the Edge (AATE) will host a week-long festival in September overlapping with one of Galway’s flagship cultural events, Culture Night, taking place on Friday, September 18.
As part of the programme, a large-scale outdoor exhibition will see selected artwork transformed into flags and banners suspended above Druid Lane and Lower Cross Street, an area already known for its colourful festival displays throughout the year.
AATE issued a global open call in July inviting artists to submit designs reflecting the relationship between quality of life and the environments in which people live. Submissions were also encouraged to display pride in the west of Ireland.
AATE’s Director Frank Monahan said the concept of the exhibition draws inspiration from Galway’s historic 14 tribes, reimagining them through a contemporary and international lens for one night.
Within days of launching, the open call attracted more than 80,000 views worldwide and received a plethora of submissions well before the closing date.
“We invited people from all different backgrounds to submit designs that represent the kind of different identities and communities in the city. The invitation was to design a flag that speaks to a place, a feeling, a community, a memory, or ideas and concepts around collective ideas of belonging.
“It’s all about inclusiveness and sharing,” Mr Monahan added.
The Irish Independent reached out to the artists who had their flags selected:
William Zweier, Germany, Togetherness
“I believe that human connection and social interaction are among the greatest strengths of our species,” 24-year-old William Zweier from Germany told the Irish Independent.
Featuring two unidentifiable objects clearly tethered, his flag represents shared humanity.
“Rather than representing Ireland specifically, my design celebrates humanity as a whole and our shared planet. The West of Ireland is part of that global community, and I hope the message resonates there just as much as anywhere else.”
Jeremy Madden, Connemara, Life Around Renvyle
Like most of his work, Jeremy utilised his flag to connect to the landscape outside his door in the West of Ireland.
Artist Jeremy Madden with his flag design for AATE Culture Night 2026 in Galway city. © Ray Ryan
His flag is about the place you belong to, he told the Irish Independent. “The message is that a place is not just where we live. It is something we walk through, remember, care for and belong to.”
“It is about memory, identity, landscape and belonging. For me, the West of Ireland is reflected through the meeting of land, sea, weather, history and community.”
Furniture Design and Manufacture lecturer at ATU Connemara
“I see the flag as a quiet tribute to Renvyle and to life on the Atlantic edge. It is about memory, identity, landscape and belonging,” he added. “These are the things I wanted to bring into the flag.”
Howie the greyhound represents the people of the West, Graphic Designer Andy Forsythe told the Irish Independent.
With a bright star against a blue sky, Howie represents chasing after one’s dreams and aspirations with the support of Ireland’s nature.
The sense of freedom in watching a dog run was the inspiration for Andy’s art. © Andy Forsythe
“It’s a simple idea, but I hope it serves as a reminder to keep chasing the things that inspire us,” Andy said. He added that the “openness, freedom and possibility” he felt being surround by amazing artists is what he wanted to capture in the greyhound chasing after the star.
Alana McDonough, Conamara/Porto, Portugal, We Are All in the Same Boat
Now a resident of Porto, Alana comes from Gaeltacht roots in Conamara. Using her upbringing as inspiration to share a piece of art displaying a sense of unity in why people come to Galway.
“Rather than focusing on what divides us, we can recognise what we have in common. At the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat.”
Art Director and Art and Design Master’s student
Diaplayed on the flag is a currach, what she said is a “distinctive symbol” of Ireland, and a staple of her childhood summers.
“People come to Galway for many of the same reasons: to build a life, support their families, find opportunities, and become part of a community. While we all have different stories, we share many of the same hopes and challenges,” she said.
So bhád le chéile. © Alana McDonough
Hannah was a student of Cambridge School of Art before breaking her way into the animation industry. Her experience and forte is well exampled in the brightly designed flag successful for the AATE open call.
The freelance illustrator and animator drew for the famous places around Galway for her submission. © Hannah Vernon
With each box on the artwork reflecting a famous Galway building, she focused on “simplified silhouettes” that define the uniqueness of the City. Reflected is the Spanish Arch, the University of Galway, her friend’s cottage, and Clochán na Carraige.
She said she designed her flag for all ages and cultures to enjoy and reflect on.
Tracey O’Callaghan - MOCA, Galway City, Harmony, Dignity and Inclusivity
Laid on Galway crest colours, the Ogham script spelling “peace” is at the heart of Tracey’s work.
“The representation of peace is formed by the presence of justice, equity, dignity, human rights, and social stability in our community. The flag represents harmony, dignity, and inclusivity for everyone,” she told the Irish Independent.
Amelia Walker, Galway City, Sandlarks
The recent discovery of the White Skate egg, a critically endangered species, in Furbo led to the inspiration of Amelia’s flag for Culture Night in Galway.
As co-founder of Sandlarks, a volunteer based marine conservation organisation, Amelia sought to draw attention to the close proximity of human life to endangered species on the shores of Galway Bay.
“I wanted to utilise visual art as a conduit for spreading environmental awareness and sustainability; emphasising the importance of endangered species living in close proximity to our human-build world.”
The vibrant design done by Gort artist Jim Ricks is an homage to emigration introducing and defining many staples in a society.
Tacos Al Pastor is a direct result of that culture blend, and the same idea rings true in the open arms of Galway City. © Jim Ricks
“I am working with the idea that migration and the movement of people and ideas are basic, fundamental, and positive things. I chose to look at the amazing story of one of Mexico’s most famous foods and how it is a variant of Lebanese cuisine, brought from Lebanon to Mexico in the 1890’s,” he said.
“We live in times where people are facing unprecedented hardships in parts of the world, and migration is some people’s only opportunity to live decently or live at all. I suppose just that I can talk about tacos on one level and also be making a plea for decency, tolerance, and respect on another.”
This work in progress piece was inspired by Enda’s home which sits at the base of Knockma Hill in County Galway. Knockma Hill is also home to the not well known folkloric tale of Ethna the Bride.
The tale is of the beautiful Ethna who was stolen by the greedy fairy king, Finvarra. When her husband overcomes hurdles in finding her, she returns not as herself from a lingering fairy enchantment.
“I like the idea of giving an old local legend a new audience through contemporary design,” he told the Irish Independent, wanting the piece to be a celebration of heritage and storytelling in the west of Ireland.
He hopes that those who observe his art are intrigued to pursue the story further on their own discovering other tales of the Irish soil.
Shane O’Driscoll, Cork, Ruaille Buaille
Shane’s colourful and intricate art for Culture Night is an extension of the “bohemian and independent” spirit of Galway.
“The intersecting shapes and colours represent the mix of people and nationalities that come together in the fabric of Galway.”
The Cork native and internationally known visual artist said the inspiration of the design comes from the welcome energy the city gives when he visits.
Áine has been working in the Irish art space since the late-80’s through various practices like performance, film, and installation.
Her piece of work for AATE, featuring the Síle-na-gig on one side and “síle come home” on the other, is just one piece of her wider portfolio using art to highlight social needs and Ireland’s past.
“Síle-na-gigs are mysterious medieval stone carvings, predominantly found in Ireland and the UK, that depict a naked female figure opening her vulva. They are historically and culturally important because they challenge traditional perspectives on medieval religion, embody ancient beliefs about protection and fertility, and serve as modern feminist symbols.”
Áine will be handmaking her flag for the exhibition. © Áine Phillips
“This Síle-na-gig has been languishing in the British Museum, having been taken from a site in Westmeath during British colonisation. I am currently working with local artists Miriam De Burca and Dee Mulrooney on a bigger project to highlight this story and its wider political and feminist context.”
It is in the hands of Irish artists that the West of Ireland is reflected through pieces like this one, she said.
Sean Hanrahan, Cork, The Rose compass
Based in Cork for the last 20 years, Sean’s piece is personal, having lived in Galway in the 1990s. Because of his history with the city, he hopes his flag invokes an appreciation for Galway’s history in the national landscape as an original town in the West.
The design is based on the 32 Pointed Star mirroring a Rose compass used in navigation.
The central motif on Sean’s design represents the setting Sun over the land of the West. © Sean Hanrahan
“The compass reflects Galway as a Historic Medieval port city, where maritime trade was a vital link to its establishment,” he said. “The pennant shape of the Flag also has a Maritime theme; the colours reflect the tribes and Merchant families of Galway’s past.”
Tess Guillemot, Marseille, City of Tribes
Tess deems Galway as a city of passage having spend two months in Galway visiting family. With a photo from her daily walks to weekend markets, the flag is a culmination of the culture, stories, ideas, and human connection she experienced while here.
The France-based graphic designer said she wants to draw on the City of Tribes being “a place of welcome, exchange, and community. © Tess Guillemot
“I wanted to bring into my flag the feelings and memories from the time I lived there: a city of passage and sharing, where coexistence, solidarity, and mutual support are an essential part of everyday life.”
Her piece of art is a way of expressing gratitude to what the city showed her during her stay.
Emma Doyle, Dublin/London, Croagh Patrick
The memories Emma made with summers spent at the foot of Croagh Patrick spurs the longing and appreciation for the colourful sunsets and ever changing cloud cover.
Her design pays homage to the mountain peak and the memories made with family when visiting.
“The simplicity of the landscape, of wind and rock
and grass and quiet, is something I find myself missing more and more,” she told the Irish Independent. “Croagh Patrick is not only the backdrop to my own memories, but of those long before me and those long after me.”
It’s a mountain that never looks the same twice, different points on the road change the silhouette, the sun makes the colours shift, or the clouds fully obstruct it from view. © Emma Doyle
The week-long festival hosted by AATE will happen from September 17 through September 27 with the special crossover with Culture Night 2026 on September 18.
Along with the outdoor display of flags, more exhibitions will be on in the Mick Lally theatre and Printworks Gallery in partnership with Hinterland West and Swiss Hungarian Blanca Major for an “evening that unfolds in several acts.”