Diocesan News
Appointment of Artist in Residence in St Mary’s, Limerick
Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, is delighted to announce the appointment of its first Artist in Residence, Ms Nici LeGear.
Nici will begin her residency in Mid–September and shall be in post until the end of October. The theme of her residency will be ‘Echoes in Stone: Landscapes of Memory’.
Speaking on her appointment, the Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nici to Saint Mary’s for this ‘first’ in the Cathedral’s long history. Art and beauty and so important to us and we see this residency as another opportunity to engage art, people and the Cathedral. I wish to thank Ms Etain McCooey of Limerick and City and County Council who helped us with this project which is funded by the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council, through the Limerick Arts Programme 2025.”
About the Artist
Self–taught after a career in tech, Nici captures Ireland’s west coast in vibrant oils, exploring the relationship between landscape and human presence. Her recent work along Limerick’s River Shannon led her to focus on how places hold memory, where human experience is felt rather than explicitly shown.
About the Residency – Echoes in Stone: Landscapes of Memory
Nici is creating three oil paintings exploring Saint Mary’s Cathedral as a living testament to community life:
- Ancient Roots & Enduring Spirit – Foundational elements and ancient landscape connections
- Layers of Time & Resilience – Architectural details revealing centuries of history
- Contemporary Echoes & Community Life – The Cathedral as vibrant contemporary space
How you can get involved – share your Cathedral stories
Alongside the paintings, Nici is creating a ‘Community Tapestry of Voices’ – collecting memories and stories from people connected to Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
No artistic experience needed – just bring your memories or connection to this place. Drop–in sessions will be announced soon.
About Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, is the oldest building in the City still in continuous use. It was founded in 1168 and is an iconic presence in the city landscape. At its core the Cathedral seeks every day to Welcome In & Reach Out. Whilst primarily a place of Christian Worship, the Cathedral also hosts numerous cultural and civic events as well as being, one of the major tourist attractions within the city of Limerick. Through its mission Saint Mary’s seeks every opportunity to promote love, peace and justice and to offer support wherever it can within the local community.
Nici can be contacted at [email protected] and @nicilegearart
Diocesan Communications Officer, Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe
089 448 9353
Stephen Fletcher
[email protected]