Howya! Jarlath Tourish (West End Art Collective)
Galway Stories

Howya! Jarlath Tourish (West End Art Collective)

Didn't you know that Galway is full of interesting characters? Well, we want to give you a chance to get to know some of the sound people of Galway so join us in saying Howya! to some fascinating figures... This month we got chatting to Mr Jarlath Tourish....

Howya! Any craic? 
I’m good thanks, very busy the last few months building the foundations and organising the launch of West End Art Collective. Lots of amazing people involved in the Collective so loads of craic too of course.

Tell us about yourself..
My name is Jarlath Tourish. I’m a tattoo/visual artist working out of Claddagh Art Collective which I opened a few years back with my arch nemesis Joe Westcott, and also now I work sometimes out of West End Art Collective which I opened with my wife Maeve and my two daughters Aria and Willow. On the odd occasion, when I have spare time, I like to paint with oils and create wood burning art, pyrography.

Why do you do what you do? 
I’m obsessed with it, creativity is life.

What's your happiest memory?
Nothing in particular, I tend to embrace what’s ahead rather than looking back.

Who's your favourite artist?
My favourite visual artist is Alex Grey, a Mystic Visionary artist from New York, and also my sidekick Joe Westcott. Both are very inspirational to me in my career.

What brought you to Galway?
I came to Galway in 2005 as a mature student to study Psychology and Philosophy.

What's your favourite thing to do in Galway?
A ramble in Barna Woods with my kids and also a few pints on a Sunday with friends in the West End and I’m happy out, mostly in MP Walsh’s or Taylor’s finishing with John Conneely in the Róisín.

Tell us one thing you would change about Galway?
The housing and accommodation situation, disgraceful.

Tell us a secret...
I have no secrets, all the cards on the table as far as I’m concerned.

Tell us a joke! 
Politicians, as Billy Connolly once said: the very fact that someone wants to be a politician should ban them from ever being one!

"Don’t waste time doing things you hate, Peace and Love." - Jarlath

photos by Boyd Challenger

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