Latest news with #SeanCorcoran
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Families create colossal beach art in Waterford and Wexford to inspire fostering
Today at 07:36 Tusla foster families from across the southeast came together over the weekend to create two colossal pieces of sand art at Duncannon and Tramore beaches depicting what community and neighbourhood means to them. Working alongside visual artist Sean Corcoran, the families created two 400-foot wide pieces of sand art, one at Duncannon Beach, Wexford on Saturday, and another at Tramore beach in Waterford on Sunday. Their details reflected the families' responses from a Tusla-organised workshop earlier this week in which they were asked: what does community mean to me, and what does my dream neighbourhood look like? A smiley sun, angels, dogs, a gingerbread man, rainbow, bouncy flowers, families and people linking hands were among the images etched with rakes in the sand over three hours. The finished pieces were each the size of four football pitches and a site to behold for visitors to the area. The undertaking coincides with National Fostering Awareness Month, an essential campaign throughout June by Tusla, the statutory agency for, and experts in, foster care. The campaign raises awareness about the ongoing need for foster carers in communities across Ireland and how rewarding it is to foster a child. Ireland is among the world leaders in foster care, and across Ireland 3,817 foster carers currently open their homes to 5,021 children. According to Tusla, having foster carers in communities across the country is crucial as, when a child is fostered, it is important that the child stays within his or her community and can remain in the same school, circle of friends and continue with after-school activities. 'As part of National Fostering Awareness Month, we are asking people from diverse backgrounds, in communities across Ireland, to consider providing all types of foster care. It could be respite care on weekends, a short-term emergency placement, or a longer-term placement for children and young people who cannot, for various reasons, live with their birth families,' said Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla Fostering National Lead. Follow Independent Waterford on Facebook 'Tusla foster carers come from all walks of life. This includes those in same-sex relationships, the Traveling Community, non-Irish nationalities, people from different faiths and beliefs, people who have a disability, jobseekers, renters, single people, people who are over 50 years old, couples who work fulltime, and rural as well as urban dwellers,' added Ms Smyth. As the sun set on Duncannon and Tramore's shores, the colossal sand art was eventually washed away by the tides, but foster families hope it will inspire others to consider fostering a child. National Fostering Awareness Month will run throughout June with a host of events and activities around the country, including in-person and online information sessions.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Irish artist writes giant ‘Free Palestine' message alongside Donald Trump's Doonbeg resort
Today at 12:00 An Irish artist who created a striking artwork on a Co Clare beach believes he will be prevented from entering the United States on the back of his creation. Sean Corcoran is an environmental artist who for the past 15 years specialised in large-scale artworks on beaches and on grass.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Do right thing Donald Trump' – Enormous ‘Free Palestine' message scrawled in sand at Doonbeg as plea issued for US pres
AN enormous 350-foot wide message reading "Free Palestine" was scrawled in the sand at a beach in front of US President Donald Trump's golf resort in Co Clare this week. A trio of activists wrote the temporary message in response to Israeli attacks in 3 'Free Palestine' message in the sand near Trump's hotel Credit: Sean Corcoran 3 Each letter in the sand art stood at about 40 foot tall Credit: Sean Corcoran Sean Corcoran, who worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in He told RTE: "Israel's actions are being made possible by the USA and other countries who continue to supply them military equipment." Sean continued: "I chose the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg as a poignant location for this installation. I thought I would use the privilege I am afforded in this democracy to voice my opinion. "I believe a turning point has been reached and politicians will need to start responding to growing public outrage. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "The USA and other countries need to stop supporting Israel. "We all need to insist on a ceasefire. Do the right thing Each letter in the sand art, which Sean's friends James Corcoran Hodgins and Caoláin Power assisted him with, stood at about 40 foot tall. But Sean, who is a regular visitor to the US on art projects, admitted that the message at Donald Trump's golf course in Ireland could land him in trouble if he tries to return to America. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN He said: "If the Trump administration decided that my opinions and actions on the sand are anti-Semitic, it's possible that I would be detained or deported if I try to return." Moment dozens of pro-Palestine protesters are arrested at gates of Government The for Irish people heading to the US in general has not changed , Simon Harris previously confirmed. However, the Tanaiste said that this advice will be kept "under constant review". He added that people have seen "scenes from across America in terms of protest", specifically when it comes to He said: "It's important when you go to any jurisdiction to consider the local situation, the local laws, to consider if what is acceptable in Ireland is acceptable in the country that you are visiting and to also know, specifically in relation to the TRAVEL RISK The in Ireland, which represents over 350,000 students, has The USI said: "While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities." Separately, A US- and Israeli-backed group handing out aid in Gaza said all its distribution sites were closed until further notice. The group urged residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety" after a series of deadly shootings. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said that a reopening date would be announced at a later time. 3 Sean Corcoran worked alongside two friends to create the sand art on Doughmore Strand in Doonbeg Credit: Sean Corcoran
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'Free Palestine' message in the sand near Trump's hotel in Co Clare
An environmental artist created a huge 'Free Palestine' message in the sand on the beach backing on to US President Donald Trump's golf resort in Co Clare. Sean Corcoran worked with two friends to create the 106-metre wide installation on Doughmore Strand in Doonbeg on Monday. "I couldn't just stand by while atrocities are being carried out in Gaza. Like so many of us, I've felt helpless for the last few months. I'd like to be on the right side of history. I don't want to look back in ten years and feel like I did nothing," he said. Mr Corcoran is known for his large sand art drawings which he creates with a garden rake on beaches around Ireland. He is a regular visitor to the US on art projects. "Israel's actions are being made possible by the USA and other countries who continue to supply them military equipment," he said. "If the Trump administration decided that my opinions and actions on the sand are anti-Semitic, it's possible that I would be detained or deported if I try to return. "I chose the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg as a poignant location for this installation. I thought I would use the privilege I am afforded in this democracy to voice my opinion. "I believe a turning point has been reached and politicians will need to start responding to growing public outrage. The USA and other countries need to stop supporting Israel. We all need to insist on a ceasefire. Do the right thing Donald Trump," he said.
