Dublin street art

While on my recent days out in Dublin I came across many different variations of street art, most of them in the Temple Bar area, so join me on my Monday walk this week as I wander the streets, lanes and alleyways on the south side of the River Liffey. Most of the artwork is unfortunately ‘artist unknown’ although the names of some artists are underneath the relevant photos – mouse over or click on the multi-shots for names and/or locations.

Traffic light control boxes, Beresford Place – Artist unknown

The Tara building, Tara street, Artist – Maser

Temple Bar Laundry, Aston Quay/Aston Place

The Icon Factory art gallery/cafe, Aston Place

The Icon Walk is a public art installation showcasing original work by local artists and featuring many Irish icons both past and present ; it’s also a way of brightening up the forgotten lanes and alleyways behind Fleet Street and discouraging senseless graffiti and the discarding of rubbish. Although I wasn’t really interested in photographing the faces of various Irish people, most of whom I’ve never heard of, I did like the multi-coloured murals along one side of Bedford Lane.

The Icon Walk, Bedford Lane

The Icon Walk, Bedford Row

At the end of Bedford Lane was an artistic tribute to the famous greyhound from the 19th century, Master McGrath (pronounced Magraa). The smallest of a litter of seven born in 1866 and trained by a well-known Waterford trainer of greyhounds for coursing he performed so badly at his first trial that his trainer ordered for him to be given away. His handler took him on and he went on to win several courses, after which he was given back to his trainer. Master McGrath was the first greyhound to win the Waterloo Cup three times and he became such a celebrity that his owner, the 2nd Baron Lurgan, was asked to take him to meet Queen Victoria and the Royal Family.

Master McGrath’s success was so great that Lord Lurgan was able to build a terrace of houses in Walthamstow, London, with the proceeds from his wins ; the houses still stand, forming part of Shernhall Street, though at one end they are still clearly marked as ‘Master McGrath Terrace’. The dog died of heart disease in early 1873 and an autopsy showed that his heart was twice the size of a normal dog’s heart ; he was buried in the grounds of a house called ‘Solitude’ in Lurgan.

Bricked-up doorway, Bedford Row

The ESB Central Distributing Station is a large building which wraps around the corner of Fleet Street and Bedford Row. Built in 1926-28 for the Electricity Supply Board it houses an electricity substation and offices ; representative of the design used by the ESB in the early 20th century it’s one of the few buildings of that style in the city and is a significant contributor to the architectural character of the Temple Bar area. The modern artwork extends right along the front of the building but unfortunately I couldn’t get a decent photo of it as there were too many people around to spoil the shots so I had to be content with a side view.

Side wall of ESB Central Distributing Station, Bedford Row

Side wall of Auld Dubliner pub, Fleet Street

Side wall of Japanese noodle bar, Asdill’s Row

Artist group – Subset

A pair of very bright shop doors

Rear of Café Rubis, Crane Lane

Mosaic tiled floor at the entrances to an event ticket office

Shop frontages, Crown Alley

Above the Jam Art Factory, Crown Alley

Cafe Mineiro, Crown Alley

Side wall, Sycamore Building, Sycamore Street

Shop front, Fownes Street, artist – KinMx

Traffic light control box, Fishamble Street

Kennedy art shop, Harcourt Street

Traffic light box, Merrion Square North

Traffic light box, Tara Street

Building site hoarding, City Quay, artist – Leah Hewson

Irish Wolfhound, City Quay, artist – James Earley

Shop front, George’s Quay, artist – Decoy

These are just some examples of Dublin’s street art, there are many more which either I couldn’t find at the time or I didn’t know about until I got home. One which I did find though provided me with so many photos I think it deserves a post of its own which will follow soon. An internet search since I got home has provided me with a map of four different street art walking routes in the city which take in many of the works by named artists, and though I may not have time to do all four walks in one day I fully intend to do at least two of them the next time I’m in Ireland.

I’m linking up this week with Jo’s Monday Walk where she shows us some of the delights of Sao Bras de Alportel in Portugal – do pop over and have a look if you haven’t already done so.