Let’s Talk

Mensana Festival, Carlow Mental Health Association (2018)

“Let’s Talk” is a street art project by Paul Byrne, created as part of the Carlow Mental Health Association’s Mensana Festival in 2018. Installed across two prominent locations at Éire Óg Clubhouse and Miller’s Pub, the typographic works were designed to act as simple but direct public prompts, encouraging open conversation around mental health. Positioned within everyday social spaces, the pieces aimed to meet people where they are, embedding an important message within the natural flow of daily life.

Through a clear and accessible visual language, the project sought to reduce stigma and create permission for dialogue, particularly within community settings where conversations around mental health can often remain unspoken. Widely recognised across the county, “Let’s Talk” demonstrates the potential of public art to act as a catalyst for social awareness, using visibility, repetition and placement to gently shift attitudes and invite connection.