No.43 Syd Bluett Exhibition
Location: The Toradh Gallery 2, The Old Courthouse, Navan Road
Artist: Syd Bluett
No.42 Break Free
Location: Bective Street
Artist: Caiomhe Donaghey
A poster inspired by vintage carnivals that shows a carousel horse who wants to break away from the carnival.
No.41 Collective Thoughts
Location: Bective Street
Artist: Wheatfield Education Center, Mark Smith and Karen Cotter
Students from Wheatfield Prison Education Center came together to toss and up root poetry, words, thoughts, hopes, memories and stories to create their own individual and personal response to "Evolve".
No.40 Budynok
Location: Suffolk Street
Artist: Simon McDermott
A home or budynok (in Ukranian) is more than just a physical structure, it’s a place of comfort, belonging, and personal connection. It’s where you feel safe, create memories, and share moments with loved ones. Whether it’s a house, an apartment, or even an old converted shop, a home represents a sense of identity and sanctuary. Kells is now the home to many people fleeing the war in Ukraine. This shop front piece aims to highlight this.
No.39 The Bog Cabinet of Curiosities
Location: Lynch’s Pharmacy, Farrell Street
Artist: Kate Flood
A collection of objects and ephemera relating to the cultural and natural history of the bog.
Appearing in Renaissance Europe, the ‘cabinet of curiosities’ was an ancestor to the modern museum. They played a fundamental role in the development of modern science, even if they weren’t always ‘scientific’. The cabinets commonly featured antiques, objects of natural history (such as animals, dried insects, shells, skeletons, shells, herbarium, fossils) and works of art. Although they offered an opportunity to learn and wonder, these cabinets also symbolised the plundering of the natural world so prevalent in past times.
Summary of the project www.ucd.ie/earth/newsevents/news/body,719729,en.html
No.38 Evolve
Location: Kelly's Veterinary Clinic, Farrell Street
Artist: TUS Midlands Athlone Students
A project by 3rd year graphic design students from TUS Athlone - Each student delved into the drama of the stories, decoded the mysterious symbolism, analysed the subtle details, mistakes, humour and deconstructed spiritual qualities of the typography and colour. Allowing the pages of the Book of Kells evolve into a contemporary piece of typography and motion design.
No.37 Fail better
Location: Farrell Street
Artist: Meghan McDermott
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Quote from Samuel Beckett
Sometimes the only way to evolve is to make a mistake and keep creating anyway.
No.35 Bus Stop
Location: Farrell Street
Artist: Patrick Beatty
This unique piece intertwines a physical print with an online animation. Delving into the evolution of art and communication through time, "Bus Stop" juxtaposes a hand-drawn, tranquil print with a sleek, modern energetic animation. This fusion seamlessly connects the physical space to the digital artwork, inviting viewers to embark on a journey through the piece's evolution.
By bridging the gap between traditional and digital art, "Bus Stop" not only enriches its surroundings but also forges a connection between the viewer, the space, and the environment.
No.36 End of the year school photo
Location: Farrell Street
Artist: Mark Smith and Leo Mulligan
The traditional end of year school photo with the pupils of Saint Colmcilles Senior School, Kells. Éabhlóid the Irish for Evolve spelt out by each class on the school playground. This series of school photos spans from 2012-2024.
No.34 The Cards of Kells
Location: Cross Street
Artist: Callum O’Reilly
Page from the Book of Kells with the four Gospel Writers. For this piece I’ve adapted the designs into my own ideas, added references to their names in other languages and put them in designs tor a card game inspired by the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.
No.33 Vessel
Location: Kenlis Place
Artist: Bronagh McCarthy
Bronagh's Vessel emphasizes the belief that creativity is a force within, that is waiting to be harnessed. There's a hidden potential within everyone! Vessel encourages you to unlock and express these forces. Creativity is a mysterious, intangible energy that, when set free, can lead to extraordinary and transformative experiences. Creativity is a vital organ within, like breathing, creativity is an essential part of living. It is a creative breath, a carrier, that transports the ideas, influences feelings between the world and the body.
No.32 Evolve
Location: Convent of Mercey Entrance, Headfort Place
Artist: David Newton
These sculpture-collages each combine two unlikely objects to evolve new and interesting objects! The colliding materials (when placed together artistically have, evolved.
No.31 R-evolve
Location: Convent of Mercey Entrance, Headfort Place
Artist: Siobhan Beatty
A digital print and augmented reality creation by Siobhan Beatty, stands as an invitation to introspection. This artwork intertwines the concepts of ‘evolve’ and ‘revolve,’ presenting a dichotomy between stasis and metamorphosis. The interplay of tangible and virtual mediums underscores the feeling of the familiar versus the abstractness of the unknown. “r-evolve” is a testament to the enrichment that follows when one pushes past one’s comfort zone and embraces self-discovery and transformation.
No.30 We are prop
Location: Parnell Garden
Artist: Anna Boyle
The text is trying its best to express something but ultimately falls short. "We Are Proper" just can't fit in.
No.29 Wha?..
Location: Town Hall, Headfort Place
Artist: Mark Smith with Ava Caffrey, Chloe Flaherty, Ella Mullen and Zara Mullen
A Creative Ireland, Cruinniú na nÓg project. Working with artist Mark Smith, young people from Foróige’s Navan Young People’s Development Project (NYPD) have created this unique piece of typography art to amplify their voices within their community. A word used in their everyday language, Wha? also opens young eyes to public works of art; who created them? what do they represent? What is their significance within our community?
No.28 Sowing a seed
Location: Headfort Place
Artist: Jane Kelleher
Inspired by the two wise men in Kells, The Nuns Female School, Headford Place. Pyrography and paint.
No.27 Evolve
Location: John Street
Artist: Mark Corry and Daire MacManus
This is a typographic exploration of Bill Hicks' quote, “We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution”. Created with lines, shapes, grids and letters, it uses a reverse perspective concept originally conceived by Patrick Hughes.
No.26 Liar, liar, world on fire
Location: John Street
Artist: Leo Mulligan
Exploring the evolution of 'Fake News' through social media and print journalism. Fake news is cheap to produce, genuine journalism is expensive. Social media is a giant feedback loop that tells people what they want to hear. When you engage with it, in a world where your biases are being constantly confirmed, you become susceptible to fake news, propaganda, misplaced idealogy and demagoguery. "Newspapers. . . . If you don't read them you're un-informed and if you do read them you're mis-informed."
No.25 (Re)volve
Location: John Street
Artist: Sarah Usher
A number of years ago I collected blank cassette tapes as I was fascinated with the diversity of colour, shape and type featured on their covers. These were mainly European manufactured tapes.
I subsequently learned that there was a manufacturing plant off John Street in Kells which produced 'Chime Tapes'. I did add a Chime Tape to my collection but all have since disappeared (despite much searching). These cassettes can now be considered faded memories of solid objects and I present a selection of their artwork for you here.
No.24 Athrú
Location: Kells Arts Studios, John Street
Artist: Katrina Sweeney
Enamel paint on mirror. Athrú is the Irish word for change. I've placed this work on a mirrored surface to reflect how things change and evolve over time.
No.23 Éabhlóid
Location: Motorbike Shop, Maudlin Street
Artist: Seán Itani-Gavigan
Grafitti art has never received consistent respect from the art and design world like other art movements. Whether it does or not it proudly influenced and evolved my understanding of typography.
No.22 Grey Matters
Location: Kells Library, Maudlin Street
Artist: Chloe Louise
This book references the left side of the brain. The left side is logical and structured yet houses most of our depression and pain, an organised chaos. Black and white with some red to symbolise pain. Sometimes we find ourselves wrapped up in all the turmoil and rather than feeding into this it’s better to have some tiny light within, to motivate and encourage our want for better. The limbic system connects the brain by a simple thread. House’s grey matter and supposedly, the more of this present in the brain, the happier we will be. If severed, there’s a possibility emotions won’t be ‘felt’. There will no longer be room for happiness to grow. Finally, the right side of the brain. The fun, the colour, the creativity. The things that make me happy.
No.21 Am I
Location: Kells Library, Maudlin Street
Artist: John McCarthy
Acrylic with Dymo labelling
No.20 Evolution of Kells
Location: Kells Library, Maudlin Street
Artist: Saint Ciarán’s Community School 5th year Students
Our work symbolises and ties in with the word evolve. Created as a pop-up book so it can be more interactive. We looked at Kells architecture between 923 - 1013 A.D. and up to 2024, how it has evolved over the centuries.
No.19 Synthesis
Location: Carrick Street
Artist: Fiona Strasser
The future evolution of human combined with AI or machine.
No.18 The Juxaposition of Evolution
Location: Paddy Powers, Castle Street
Artist: Bailieborough Creative Hub
How did we get here? Was it through a higher power or did we evolve through natural selection? Answers on a postcard please.
No.17 Ní Bheidh ár Leithéidí Arís Ann
Location: TP Rogers, Cross Street
Artist: Syd Bluett
Background is stylised DNA double-helix. Lettering style is based on script from folio 35v. from the Book of Kells. Water based paint on wood, varnished.
No.16 Silent Whispers
Location: TP Rogers, Cross Street
Artist: Christina Logan
It took generations of love, struggles, tears and joy for you to exist in the here and now. In this moment and this time. Although your ancestors are long forgotten - they live within you. Silent whispers, creating threads that connect you with them.
No.15 EVO 1
Location: TP Rogers, Market Street
Artist: Signs by Oner
Perfect marriage between tradition and technology evolving into an aesthetically pleasing artwork.
No.14 Benchmark
Location: Paddy Powers, Market Street
Artist: Shannon McArdle
A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared, connecting us to our past, giving a sense of time and place and how we have evolved.
No.13 Golden B
Location: BookMarket, Market Street
Artist: AG Signs Andrew Greaves
A classic gold gilded and hand painted letter B using original Victorian lettering styles and techniques.
No.12 Datblygu, Esblygu, Edmygu
Location: Kieran's Pub, Market Street
Artist: St. Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, Students
Evolve, Develop, Admire is the translation of the silkscreen printed words that surround the image of the national flower of Wales - 'Cenhinen Pedr' (St Peter's Leek) also known as the Daffodil. Within the flower, students have used woodblock prints to apply the words 'Yma o hyd' which means We're still here. They are words from a Welsh song by Dafydd Iwan referring to the resilience of Welsh culture throughout history. The Daffodil is a symbol of resurgence and defiance as it returns after each winter to signify hope and joy for the future.
No.11 Evolve
Location: Armstrongs, Market Street
Artist: Leo Boyd
Leo Boyd likes making warning signs that look like real warning signs but aren't. The language of street signs and warning signs is a language that is so simplified and direct in its message that we only see them when we need to see them. This makes them very easy to hack and when you have hacked a sign, you have essentially hacked a mind.
No.10 Letters of New York, a year by year lettering evolution from 1874 to 2024
Location: Armstrongs, Market Street
Artist: Dermot Hall / @LettersOfNewYork
Over the past 150 years of New York's history, artisans from each era have commemorated the current year on building cornerstones, manhole covers, plaques, and monuments, reflecting an evolving zeitgeist. However, the last 40 years have seen a decline in individuality and character, coinciding with the widespread computerization of visual communications.
No.9 Textile Typography 'The Evolving Style'
Location: The Flower Shop, Market Street
Artist: Mairead Harrington
Incorporating traditional and machine embroidered techniques showcasing how type styles have evolved over time. Inspired by the Cross of Kells - "I've incorporated some of its stone carved decorations into my artwork using distinctive gold thread on denim and displayed on a gold leafed background.
No.8 Favorite Fragment Series
Location: Lappins, Church Street
Artist: John Tarpey and Lorenzo Tonti
John Tarpey and Lorenzo Tonti have collaborated on this years typographic/photographic 'Favorite Fragments', their explorations are based on PJ Harvey of pop band Depeche Mode.
No.7 The Change
Location: Jimmy's Dry Cleaners, Church Street
Artist: Anne Reilly
Taking inspiration from the concept of the Triple Goddess, recognised and honoured in ancient and classical times, this work recognises the three phases of womanhood that women encounter and embody as they move through their lives, (adolescence, reproductive stage and menopause).
Nature has always been an example of growth, change and rebirth and it is used in this work to illustrate the narrative. Flowers (white and pink cherry blossom and clematis), together with specific colours, fabric and technique denote a woman’s journey towards spiritual evolution. The use of digital embroidery signifies the evolution of the embroidery craft.
No.6 Interactive Poster Project
Location: Old Pet Shop Window, Church Street
Artist: Dundalk Institute of Technology, Creative Media Students
Exploring the word 'Evolve' in the form of interactive typographic posters. The work exhibited is created by Abby Murphy, Aoife Hamilton, Ryan Humston and Alex Cooley-Dargan. Their themes explored in their work are; 'Hope for The Future', 'Empowerment of Irish Women', 'Responsibility for Our Future', and the 'Possibilities of Change'.
No.5 Kells Market 1924
Location: Church Lane
Artist: Caitriona Moore
For centuries, the town of Kells was famous for its market days.
The Fairgreen was the area in the town where cattle, sheep, horses and pigs were bought and sold every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The lettering in my artwork is derived from an original 1924 advertising poster from the archive of Meath County Council. It had been printed by Frank Smith on the printing presses based in Maudlin Street.
The same press has been restored and will be brought back to use later this year in the new Sawmills studio (The Print Works) currently being renovated at the bottom of Church Lane.
No.4 Ceisteanna
Location: Hoarding on Church Lane
Artist: Elizabeth Comerford
A set of woodblock prints on A2 size paper, colour washed and with a variable insert. The inserts depicts various crows, rooks and other corvids.
No.2 Ribbon Tree
Location: Michael’s Flower Bed, Church Lane
Artist: Our Lady of Mercy Junior School's 2nd Class
Highlighting the multi ethnicity of our modern day students.
No.3 What did the black cat ate?
Location: Hoarding on Church Lane
Artist: Murielle Celis
The pangram, "D'ith cat mór dubh na héisc lofa go pras", evolves from Queen Elizabeth's (1571) and the Louvain Irish Type (1611), both based on handwritten script, to the type designed Cló Uí Rathghaille (1913) and Baoithin (1932). Four fonts that predate the loss of the séimhiú dot to the typewriter.
No.1 Homage
Location: Michael’s Flower Bed, Church Lane
Artist: Mark Smith and Sean Crowe
A Homage Shrine to our patron saint of lettering, Saint Colmcille, -who was a creative visionary. We've created a colourful display of type using translations.
This year's Kells TypeTrail 2024
We are delighted to be back with you to celebrate the launch of this year’s TypeTrail. join us at the Kells Church of Ireland of Saint Columba on Thursday 27th June, at 7pm for the offical launch, as we once again turn the streets of Kells into a canvas of type. Kells TypeTrail brings together a wide range of artforms, highlighting our unique heritage of lettering as a form of communication. Each year, one word is translated into a variety of languages, reflecting the diversity of the community in Kells, with the aim of providing a means to bring individuals and groups together. As this is what Arts, Culture and Heritage does, this year’s word is ‘Evolve'.