A son of Wexford was honoured this evening at an unveiling ceremony at The Faythe, Wexford, of a mural of legendary Wexford accordion player and All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil accordion champion 1956, George Ross.
The honour of unveiling the work by 3rd Year Fine Art and Design students studying on the community-based learning module from IT Carlow Wexford Campus belonged to Liam Gaul, local historian and a traditional musician taught by George Ross.
Liam Gaul said it was an honour and a privilege to unveil a mural to George Ross whom he described as “one of the greatest accordion players of all time.”
Leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin, who was a student and teacher at St John of God Primary School before his entry into politics, spoke about the talent of George Ross and the popularity of he and his family in The Faythe area of the town and beyond.
George’s brother, Ollie and other relatives and friends were amongst the large attendance at the unveiling and the refreshments and musical contribution that followed.

Colm Ó Muirí and Liam Gaul at the unveiling of the George Ross mural at The Faythe, Wexford.

Arguably one of the country’s finest balladeers, Paddy Berry also paid tribute to George Ross and he confided in WexfordToday.com that Wexford is making an earnest bid to bring the 2020 Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann to the south-east.
Colm Ó Muirí, Manager of the Southend Family Resource Centre, enthused about the community involvement in bringing the mural project to fruition and expressed thanks to all who made it possible.
Wexford Campus of IT Carlow were also thrilled at being involved in the project and seeing the work come to a successful conclusion and Dr Karen Hennessy, Head of Wexford Campus IT Carlow, and lecturer Dr Ciara Healy-Musson said they were proud of the project and of the unveiling occasion.
The mural was designed and executed by students who engaged with different members of the community to develop the mural having undertaken historical research and practical training in working with heights to complete it.
The lower end of the mural was painted by students from St John of God School, The Faythe.
It is a community project brought about by the co-operative efforts of Paddy Berry of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, the Principal of The Faythe Primary School, Liam Turner and participants from Southend Family Resource Centre.
The project is supported by Wexford County Council staff and funded through its amenity grant funding.

AUDIO ADDITION ; Liam Gaul tells Dan Walsh about George Ross and who he was?