Steve Maher’s Sentences at Twohig Supervalu, Askeaton

Since 2006, artworks have been made in Askeaton, with many of them still lurking in prominent public places and unexpected corners! Guided tours can be organised by prior arrangement.

Originally commissioned in 2014, Steve Maher’s Sentences now can be seen on Twohig Supervalu’s electric signage on Church Street. Words from ‘The Limerick Rake’, an 18th-century folk song that tells of the life, loves and death of a young man’s exploits in the West of Limerick. Steve speculates what people might think of the installation, noting that ‘For some, they will be deeply familiar lines from a well-loved folk song tied to the area. For many more, they will be discordant and unsettling passages, almost in the realm of the occult, speaking of ancient gods, and mathematical concepts while resting on a bed of nettles and stones. For everyone else, these sentences will be passing subliminal phrases affecting the unconscious minds more focused on the cost of the fuel as they fill their tanks. ‘Agús fagaimid siúd mar atá sé’ features as the closing remark in each stanza, roughly translating as ‘and that’s all we'll say about that,’ ‘and we'll leave it as it is’ or ‘nough said.’ The phrase is utilised as a coy remark, a means for the Rake to hint that there is much more to their exploits, beyond the border of polite conversation and plain innuendo, so instead it remains unspoken.’