Irish Mosaics Ltd., Roscommon
A major turning point in the history of mosaics in Ireland came in 1947, when John Crean, a Roscommon native trained in mosaic and terrazzo in Glasgow, established “J. Crean & Sons, Terrazzo and Mosaic Specialists”. “Irish Mosaics Ltd”, would be eventually formed in 1956. Starting with terrazzo work, the business quickly grew into a centre for mosaic production.
John Crean recognised early on the need for specialist skills. After travelling to Italy, he brought skilled mosaicists to Ireland, including Luciano de Paoli, Tullio de Paoli and Romeo Battistella, some of which were trained at the mosaic school in Spilimbergo. Their arrival in Roscommon marked a key moment, as traditional Italian techniques were passed directly to Irish workers, such as Tom Kilroe, Patsy Flanagan, Liam Feely and Paddy Harrington.
By 1959, a purpose-built factory had opened on Racecourse Road in Roscommon. The company expanded rapidly, producing both geometric and artistic mosaics for churches, public buildings and commercial areas across Ireland and abroad. Their work reached Britain, the United States, Africa and Australia, showing that Irish made mosaics could compete on a global stage. In Ireland some notable examples include Galway Cathedral
Inside the factory, mosaics were assembled using traditional paper-faced methods, combining careful design, hand cutting as well as the skilled placement of tesserae.
Materials were sourced internationally, including Venetian glass (Smalti), vitreous glass, unglazed ceramics, i.e. a mix of materials from across Europe and beyond.
In 1961, Italian mosaicist Sergio Benedetti joined the workshop, contributing to the artistic work until 1968 when himself and Luciano left to continue work under Mosart Studios
The sudden death of John Crean in 1964 marked a turning point. At that stage, the company had built a strong reputation for high-quality work both in Ireland and abroad, with plans for further expansion already underway.
However, in the immediate years that followed, ownership changed and a number of skilled craftspeople moved on with Irish Mosaics eventually shutting its doors in the early ‘70’s. Other businesses were developed, including Mosart Studios, associated with Luciano de Paoli and Sergio Benedetti, and International Art Mosaics, established by Paddy Harrington and Liam Feeley. Tom Kilroe also carried the tradition forward through his own work, later joined by his son Michael who is today continuing the mosaic work into the next generation.
Today, research into Irish mosaic heritage is still on-going. Through oral histories, archival work and the study of surviving mosaics, a clearer picture is emerging of how these works were designed, made and installed.
Newspaper archives in particular reveal the scale and ambition of the industry, charting its growth from a small workshop to an internationally recognised enterprise. They also highlight the people behind the work, from designers and craftsmen to installers and local communities.
Much has been lost, including original cartoons and records, but the story is being rebuilt piece by piece. It is an active and ongoing process, with new details continuing to come to light.
It is because of this legacy that mosaic in Ireland is not just to be associated with the past, it is very much alive today. Historic works remain all around us, but there is now a growing effort to bring this heritage back into everyday awareness.
Through initiatives such as the” Heritage in Schools Scheme”, mosaic is being introduced directly into classrooms. Students are learning to recognise mosaics in their own communities, understand how they were made and try the techniques themselves. It brings the craft back to its roots, hands-on, practical and connected to place.
Mosaic Artists Association of Ireland (MAAI) has an important role in this. It continues to support and promote mosaic across the country. Through exhibitions, talks, workshops and shared learning. The association connects artists, educators and communities, helping to keep the practice active and visible.
Together, these efforts ensure that mosaic in Ireland is not only preserved but continues to grow. It is still being made, taught and explored, linking past traditions with present practice and future generations.
