EDITORIAL: MacGowan mural success is a great reason to continue celebrating Tipp's best

In recent weeks Tipperary has seen more national and even international attention than usual. Thankfully, it’s for good reason, our pride in the local hero that was The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has hit headlines all over the country and has gone viral across various social media platforms.

With Tipperary artist Neil O’Dwyer’s mural now complete in Nenagh, local councillors, county council staff and members of the public are all energised and motivated to replicate the same pride and excitement that the people of Tipperary have had the luxury of feeling these past few weeks.

David McGee, admin of the Nenagh Community News Facebook page, called for suggestions from the public as to who else might be deserving of their own artworks, his own suggestion being those that contributed to the colour and character of Nenagh.

It’s a great idea and a great point, the opportunity to hold up and celebrate those that make the county proud and put us in the spotlight shouldn’t be missed.

Rody Boland, Christy Kelly and Joe McMahon were all offered up in response to David’s post as local suggestions but looking outside of the North Tipperary town, the likes of Dan Breen, Ronald Reagan, Ned Kelly, Pat Short, John Desmond Bernal and even Martin Sheen all come to mind, in terms of who else’s faces should adorn the walls in our towns and villages.

There’s a lot to be proud of in our County but the excitement of everything that’s followed on from Shane MacGowan’s passing is an opportunity to remember and celebrate some of the other characters that have called Tipperary their home.

The chance to show our pride is one that we should certainly savour and one that’s easy to give publicity to, so here’s hoping that the powers that be may take further inspiration from the success of celebrating Shane.