At the end of February 2020, the Covid-19 virus arrived in Ireland.
During the following difficult weeks, many people were to battle for their lives. Most recovered. Some people tragically didn’t.
In an effort to cope with the increasing pressure on our medical facilities and to save lives, we were asked to help ‘Flatten the Curve’ while maintaining ‘Social Distance’.
So began a strange time, never before experienced in my lifetime.
So also began this visual diary.
As each day passed, I drew something that struck me from that day – good or bad. I sent on a few relevant sketches to family and friends. This became an everyday occurrence with demand growing to see the next daily episode of our new reality. As the days passed, I found I had a body of work that reflected my time in quarantine and beyond. This resonated with pals giving them a laugh or helping them to visualise a particular feeling during this isolating time.
On Thursday the 2nd of April, while listening to Joe Duffy on Liveline, I heard Brendan Gleeson asking for support for St. Francis Hospice. As one-by-one their fundraising events were being cancelled, due to the virus, they were in need of alternative fundraising methods. There was only one thing to do; publish these drawings and sell them as a book in aid of the Hospice.
In March 2016 my gorgeous Mam, Sarah Healy, passed away in the loving care of the Hospice. The dignity and kindness they afforded Mam, my sister Siobhán and myself will always be remembered and appreciated. Ten weeks later, my lovely Mother-in-law, Kathleen Tierney, eased her way from this world in their tender care. We will be forever grateful to these wonderful, kind people who supply such an essential service.