Re-rooting Tallaght

Re-rooting Tallaght

25 - 28 September 2024

Venus Patel, Wioletta Ratajczak, Tuqa Al Assarj, Preema Nazia Andaleeb, Fergus Byrne, Áine Phillips, Alastair MacLennan, Deej Fabyc Curated by Lauren Kelly and Paul Regan

'Re-rooting' invites us to reimagine and approach something in a new way, whether through different techniques or in a different setting. As Tallaght continues to evolve, we, as curators, alongside our community of invited artists, find deep inspiration in both its history and its dynamic present. Re-rooting Tallaght engages with this place, its community, and rich history, while thoughtfully responding to its contemporary realities. This year’s program showcases the work of artists such as Áine Phillips, Venus Patel, Fergus Byrne, Tuqa Sarraj, Wioletta Ratajczak, Preema Nazia Andaleeb, Deej Fabyc, and Alastair MacLennan. These artists, ranging from established to emerging, bring a range of personal responses and individual artistic action to the festival.

In preparation for the festival, we collaborated with local historian Tomas Maher to gain an understanding of Tallaght’s historical development, from the very early references to Taimleach Muintire Parthalon, the burial ground of Parthalon's followers, to the power dynamics of religious influence evident in sites like St. Maelruain's and St. Mary’s Priory.

We also explored Tallaght’s rapid industrial growth on a walking tour with artist and researcher Michael Dignam. This tour highlighted the impact of the closure of two major industries, the Jacobs Factory in 2009 and the Urney Chocolate factory, that operated from 1924 to 1980. The loss of these manufacturing works dealt a heavy blow, both financially and socially, to the community. Today, the former Jacobs site is occupied by a monumental, grey box data centre, consuming vast amounts of energy to power its servers.

Tallaght has long been a site of migration, and the selected artists have engaged with the diverse, multifaceted communities that have made Tallaght their home. Their work centres on stories of belonging and displacement, enriched by the experiences of refugees who have recently joined this community. The diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds add new layers of complexity and depth to Tallaght's evolving cultural identity, making it a more vibrant and dynamic place. The artists’ responses celebrate Tallaght’s ongoing transformation, ensuring that these new narratives are woven into the fabric of its cultural legacy.

It is with great excitement that we present Re-rooting Tallaght, a festival where art and community come together, offering a space for contemplation, reflection, innovation, and shared experience. This convergence of past, present, and future marks the enduring spirit of Tallaght and its people.

- Lauren Kelly and Paul Regan (Co-curators, Re–rooting Tallaght)