Ballinlough Community Garden unveils a new piece of public art, a mural reflecting the historic market gardening heritage of the Ballinlough area by Mural Artist Blanca Rice Cabrera. Blanca is an Argentinean-Irish artist and art teacher, based in Cork City. She is known under the pseudonym of Libertad, which means Liberty.
The Market Garden mural is more than just public art; it is a celebration of Ballinlough’s heritage. The mural, which was painted on the wall of the community garden in April 2025, depicts scenes of local people planting, harvesting, and bringing goods to sell at the English Market. It serves not only as an aesthetic enhancement to the community garden but also as an educational tool that remind viewers of the importance of fresh, locally grown produce, our heritage and particularly our social history. It gives a voice to the farmers and market gardeners who may otherwise remain unseen in the wider historical narrative of Cork city’s past.
This mural was a collaborative project involving local artist Blanca Rice, members of the community garden, Ballinlough Tidy Towns and residents. Schools and local groups can use the mural to highlight the heritage of Ballinlough and also to discuss where our food comes from and the effort required to grow it.
This mural was possible thanks to the support given by different organisations: Studios of Sanctuary programme through Sample-Studios funded by Rethink Ireland Resilient Cork Fund and Community Foundation Ireland, as well as Cork City Council and Pobal Tidy Towns.