Kinsale Stoney Steps Street Art Initiative

Cork County Council have invited local community artists, Claire Coughlan and Helen O’ Keeffe, to develop a public art initiative to bring a new lease of life to the ‘Stoney Steps’ in the centre of Kinsale town.

This project aims to bring the story of the pirate Anne Bonny - who was born near Kinsale in 1697 - to life through a collaborative visual art project. We want to gather input from interested locals and create a work of art that combines history and legend and generates a sense of excitement about one of Kinsale’s most
notable female figures. We are inviting the public to contribute folklore, facts, or their own creative responses inspired by Anne Bonny’s life, which will contribute to the design of the public artwork.

Anne Bonny’s life is shrouded in mystery, folklore and adventure. Stories of her life in the 1700’s, disobeying her father’s wishes, marrying for love, divorcing, defying gender stereotypes and setting sail to the Caribbean for a life of piracy seem fantastical, yet still her experiences still resonate today, some 300 years later. Born near Old Head in Kinsale, the life of this nautical native has gone on to inspire novels, poetry, and cinema around the world. Her adventures on the high seas at a time when women were
considered to be bad luck on board a ship have turned her into a legend in the imaginations of many.

Feel free to be as creative or as factual as you like and submit any words and/or imagery you see fit.
Please email your contributions to bandonkinsalemd@corkcoco.ie
by Friday 2nd April. We hope to work with members of the community to install the artwork soon after.