Behind the portrait: Pearse Street writer Hanna Greally honoured in new mural

A new mural in Athlone's Pearse Street honours local writer Hanna Greally.

The piece, created by Ballymahon-based Ukrainian artist Alina Vorobiova, captures an image of the Irish writer in black and white as she cycles a bike, standing out against the vibrant yellow background.

Born in Athlone in 1925. She grew up in Pearse Street, and was a popular and happy young girl. At nineteen she was admitted to St Loman’s Hospital in Mullingar and remained there until she negotiated her own release in 1962 having agreed to go into the care of Coolamber Manor, a state-run rehabilitation centre.

Her book ‘Bird’s Nest Soup’ (1971) gives a gripping picture of life in a provincial asylum. A second book ‘Flown the Nest’ (2009) deals with her later life including her rehabilitation and life in rural Roscommon.

Her works have inspired drama as well as radio and television documentaries. Greally died in 1987 and is buried in Cornamagh Cemetery.

A well-known local poet, there is an award named after her called the Hanna Greally International Literary Awards, with the first inception being in 2007.