University of Limerick

The University of Limerick (UL) has taken a bold step in addressing mental health stigma with the unveiling of a new Elephant in the Room sculpture, donated by Cornmarket through UL’s BeWell@UL campaign.

The installation was designed by Luan Lyons, Administrator in Health and Safety at UL, and beautifully painted by Andrew Manson of Ballyrogan.com. Together, their work brings to life the power of art to spark conversations and inspire change.

Supported by Cornmarket, the unveiling was attended by Professor Shane Kilcommins, Acting President of UL, Cornmarket’s Director of Partnerships Clodagh Ruddy, and Elephant in the Room Founder Brent Pope, alongside many members of the UL community.

Art as a Catalyst for Conversation

The Elephant in the Room initiative, founded by Brent Pope, uses bespoke art sculptures to break down stigma and encourage people to talk about their mental health as openly as they would discuss a physical illness. Each elephant stands as a symbol of courage, kindness, and support, placed in prominent locations to remind communities that it’s never weak to speak.

This new elephant at UL continues a growing tradition of collaboration between Elephant in the Room and local artists. In 2023, for example, EITR and the Limerick Strand Hotel unveiled Stand Up and Fight by Una Heaton — a sculpture celebrating Munster Rugby’s proud legacy, while highlighting resilience and hope.

A National Effort

Speaking at the launch, Brent Pope reflected:

“I believe that all of us have been touched by mental health issues at some stage during our lives. It may be our own personal journey, a partner, sibling or a friend, but we all know people who have suffered or are still suffering. This is a national effort to get everyone talking about the elephant in the room — mental health. From the schoolyard to the boardroom, we need to feel more comfortable about discussing our vulnerabilities. It’s no longer acceptable to just ‘suck it up’ or ‘deal with it’.”

Building a Movement

The Elephant in the Room Movement continues to grow across Ireland and beyond, with sculptures placed in workplaces, schools, universities, and community spaces. Each sculpture represents a commitment to ending stigma and supporting open conversations about mental health.

We are proud to welcome UL into the herd and thank Cornmarket, BeWell@UL, Luan Lyons, and Andrew Manson for their vital roles in making this project possible.

🐘 To learn more or to get involved, email ellie@elephantintheroom.ie