THE LOCATION AND THE ARTIST
KINMX'S MURAL ON THE SIDE WALL OF DUBLIN'S HISTORIC B+I BUILDING [A WALL OF MEMORIES]
Sometimes a photograph holds a mystery. Back in August 2021, I was captivated by a vibrant mural on the wall of the old British and Irish Steam Packet Company building in Dublin's Docklands. I took the photograph, but the artist's signature remained elusive. Today, thanks to new software, I was finally able to process the image and uncover the name behind the art: KinMx.
What makes this discovery truly special for me is the canvas itself. This building, a landmark on Sir John Rogerson's Quay, was where I worked in the 1970s when it was the bustling head office of what we all knew as the B+I Line. Seeing it transformed by such powerful art feels like a conversation between the city's past and its present.
The Artist: KinMx (Kathrina Rupit)
The artist behind the mural, Kathrina Rupit (aka KinMx), is a prominent visual artist who splits her time between Dublin and Tulum, Mexico. Originally from northern Mexico, where she graduated from the University of Visual Arts in Nuevo Leon, Kathrina's journey is one of incredible determination. She travelled widely after university, often surviving by selling her art on the streets, before settling in Dublin.
Today, she is a leading figure in Ireland’s street art scene.
She is a founder of the Minaw Collective, the country's first all-female and non-binary street art collective.
Her work is driven by a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability.
This commitment has led to collaborations with major organisations like Greenpeace International, Amnesty International, the United Nations, and Street Art For Mankind.
KinMx's art has been exhibited across the globe, and she is currently developing an art and research centre in Tulum, focused on sharing sustainable practices from indigenous communities with future generations of artists.
The Canvas: A Landmark of Maritime History
The mural's location is as storied as the artist herself. The British and Irish Steam Packet Company Building stands as a proud testament to Dublin's rich maritime heritage.
A New Chapter for a Historic Building
This iconic structure has recently been reborn as part of a modern commercial development called The Shipping Office. The project has masterfully restored the protected 1909 building, designed by W.H. Byrne & Sons, and integrated it with a new eight-storey office block. The building's classic red brick façade, with its beautiful carved masonry, remains a striking feature of the quay, bridging the gap between old and new Dublin in the heart of the "Silicon Docks."
The Storied History of the B+I Line
The British and Irish Steam Packet Company was a cornerstone of Irish shipping for over 150 years.
Early Days: It was established in 1836 by a group of Dublin visionaries, including Arthur Guinness and James Jameson. Their first ships were paddle steamers connecting Dublin and London.
Growth and Dominance: The company expanded throughout the 19th century, transitioning to modern iron-hulled vessels and acquiring competitors to dominate key routes across the Irish Sea.
20th Century and Nationalisation: In 1965, the Irish Government took control of the B+I Line, beginning a period of major modernisation. New car ferries like the MV Munster and MV Leinster were introduced in the late 1960s, revolutionising travel between Dublin and Liverpool.
End of an Era: After facing financial challenges, the company was privatised and eventually taken over by the Irish Continental Group in 1992. The iconic B+I brand was retired, and its services were absorbed into what is now Irish Ferries.
While the B+I Line has sailed into history, the stunning redevelopment of its former headquarters—and the powerful art that now adorns its walls—ensures its legacy remains a vibrant part of Dublin's story.
Sometimes a photograph holds a mystery. Back in August 2021, I was captivated by a vibrant mural on the wall of the old British and Irish Steam Packet Company building in Dublin's Docklands. I took the photograph, but the artist's signature remained elusive. Today, thanks to new software, I was finally able to process the image and uncover the name behind the art: KinMx.
What makes this discovery truly special for me is the canvas itself. This building, a landmark on Sir John Rogerson's Quay, was where I worked in the 1970s when it was the bustling head office of what we all knew as the B+I Line. Seeing it transformed by such powerful art feels like a conversation between the city's past and its present.
The Artist: KinMx (Kathrina Rupit)
The artist behind the mural, Kathrina Rupit (aka KinMx), is a prominent visual artist who splits her time between Dublin and Tulum, Mexico. Originally from northern Mexico, where she graduated from the University of Visual Arts in Nuevo Leon, Kathrina's journey is one of incredible determination. She travelled widely after university, often surviving by selling her art on the streets, before settling in Dublin.
Today, she is a leading figure in Ireland’s street art scene.
She is a founder of the Minaw Collective, the country's first all-female and non-binary street art collective.
Her work is driven by a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability.
This commitment has led to collaborations with major organisations like Greenpeace International, Amnesty International, the United Nations, and Street Art For Mankind.
KinMx's art has been exhibited across the globe, and she is currently developing an art and research centre in Tulum, focused on sharing sustainable practices from indigenous communities with future generations of artists.
The Canvas: A Landmark of Maritime History
The mural's location is as storied as the artist herself. The British and Irish Steam Packet Company Building stands as a proud testament to Dublin's rich maritime heritage.
A New Chapter for a Historic Building
This iconic structure has recently been reborn as part of a modern commercial development called The Shipping Office. The project has masterfully restored the protected 1909 building, designed by W.H. Byrne & Sons, and integrated it with a new eight-storey office block. The building's classic red brick façade, with its beautiful carved masonry, remains a striking feature of the quay, bridging the gap between old and new Dublin in the heart of the "Silicon Docks."
The Storied History of the B+I Line
The British and Irish Steam Packet Company was a cornerstone of Irish shipping for over 150 years.
Early Days: It was established in 1836 by a group of Dublin visionaries, including Arthur Guinness and James Jameson. Their first ships were paddle steamers connecting Dublin and London.
Growth and Dominance: The company expanded throughout the 19th century, transitioning to modern iron-hulled vessels and acquiring competitors to dominate key routes across the Irish Sea.
20th Century and Nationalisation: In 1965, the Irish Government took control of the B+I Line, beginning a period of major modernisation. New car ferries like the MV Munster and MV Leinster were introduced in the late 1960s, revolutionising travel between Dublin and Liverpool.
End of an Era: After facing financial challenges, the company was privatised and eventually taken over by the Irish Continental Group in 1992. The iconic B+I brand was retired, and its services were absorbed into what is now Irish Ferries.
While the B+I Line has sailed into history, the stunning redevelopment of its former headquarters—and the powerful art that now adorns its walls—ensures its legacy remains a vibrant part of Dublin's story.
THE ART AND ARTIST