Public Catalogue of Artworks

‘Tallaght University Hospital gratefully accept the donation of this wonderful painting Way back when…into our Catalogue of Artworks. Kindly donated by the artist, together with former Meath Hospital student nurses and their families from the Class of October 1985-1988 .’ Tallaght Hospital May 2026

The painting Way back when… is a celebration of friendship and hopes for the future and is part of a series of autobiographical works by Michelle around identity, place and belonging. It draws on a photo from her primary school class in Ballygall set against the Dublin skyline. The patterned backdrop is reminiscent of the bold dramatic wallpaper in the artist’s family home during her formative years. The painting is part of a body of work titled ‘Outside the Urban’ in which the artist recalls growing up in the 1970s as a mixed-race child in the Dublin suburb of Finglas / Ballymun.

Michelle may  be spotted in the middle of the painting wearing a purple dress smiling away – an observation on the promise of childhood when…       

‘Way back when… everything was and is possible.’

Donated by:

The families of Mary Cummins (RIP) & Catherine Higgins (RIP)

Teresa Conlon / Stephanie Duffy / Susan Boyle / Fionnuala Miggin / Maura McHale

Donated in celebration of friendships- past, present and future.