Artist:

Shauna Heron

Artwork title:

'Ann O'Brien'

Location:

Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8.

Year:

2023

Council:

Dublin City Council

Artwork description:

Ann O’Brien was Ireland’s first female professional football player. Hailing from Inchicore, Ann began her professional career in 1973 by signing for Stade de Reims in France. She played consistently for several teams in France and Italy throughout the 70s, 80s and into the mid 90s before eventually going into management in 2005. She was regularly called up for the Irish ladies national team’s most important matches however being based Europe did limit her availability to Irish team. Despite this she is still considered a legend in her native Inchicore for breaking down boundaries for female players and in 2014 she was called “one of the best players in the world” by fellow female footballing legend Carolina Morace. This piece is intended to honour Ann who passed away 2016. It features a stylised portrait of Ann herself surrounded by football-related embellishments and flowers to represent each country she played in. The colouring is a patriotic green while the line work is strong and elegant (a word that was often used to describe how she played). It is the artist’s hope that the finished piece becomes something that’s the people of Inchicore can admire and be proud of while also bringing some attention and recognition to a truly inspirational woman!

Biography:

Dublin-born artist and designer.

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