ANNA’S ANCHOR has been the work of Limerick artist Marty Ryan for the last ten years. Once a solo affair, this ever-evolving musical project now resembles a collaborative community with frontman Marty as the band’s lynchpin.
The band rocked Dolan’s Warehouse last summer to launch their fourth album, The Merries released by Galway label Strange Brew.
With ten years of collaboration, music and friendship to celebrate this July 2024, the band booked a very special performance and exhibition at The People’s Museum of Limerick with support from Steady Hands (USA) and Moving Home from Limerick.
Photography: Jamie Moore
Art and photography from Laura O’Loughlin, Grace Coakley, Keith Kelly and Marty Ryan was exhibited on the walls of the old coach house at the rear of the museum. The sound and lighting in the venue was top class with the acts rising to the occasion for this afternoon / evening show that was broadcast live on Wired FM.
Keith Kelly’s exhibition ‘A River Runs Through It’ explored the legacy of albums released by Limerick musicians through the eyes of Limerick artists.
The project formed a trail of Limerick albums from the starting point of The Cranberries ‘Everybody Else Is Doing it, So Why Can’t We?’ From there, each artist picked their favourite Limerick album, which in turn led on to the next artist to nominate their favourite.
Forty Limerick artists nominated their favourite albums and spoke about them, Keith photographed the participants and collated the project into a wonderful exhibit that celebrates creativity and reminds everyone just how much Limerick punches above its weight in music.
It would be a wonderful exhibit to see in a long term location, perhaps one of our local venues would give it a home?
Speaking after the gig, Marty Ryan reported, “What an incredible way to celebrate this milestone. Playing in a gorgeous venue, surrounded by artwork from our closest friends, in a room full of people we love. I’m not going to lie, it took a parish to turn an 18th century coach house into a music venue but with the help of Wired FM, TUS, LSAD Dept. of Digital Arts & Media, MOB Lighting Limited and sound engineer Liam Marley, it all went off without a hitch.
“Thank you to everyone that has supported this project over the last decade!”
