HEADLESS URBAN EXPRESSION

BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

Ireland

STREET ART ON POOLBEG STREET

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27 MARCH 2024

I was unable to find any information relating to this mural which is actually on Townsend Street rather than Poolbeg Street.

Poolbeg Street was named after a small pool or inlet on the south side of the River Liffey. The name “Poolbeg” referred originally to a tidal pool located out into Dublin harbour and surrounded by sand bars. The names of places like Poolbeg, derived from the words ‘little pool’, date back all the way to medieval Ireland, with the earliest record of the placename dating from around 1488.

Poolbeg Street was established on reclaimed land between Townsend Street and the present-day south quays. This parcel of ground was leased to Luke Gardiner in 1741, and he began to develop houses and shops along this street. It’s home to various businesses and residences and has a rich history tied to the development of Dublin city.

ST PETER’S LANE

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I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE AN ERROR BY REFERRING TO IT AS CABRA PARK LANE IN THE PAST

I USED A SAMYANG 12mm F2.0 LENS

It’s a small lane connecting Cabra Park and St. Peter’s Road and it is situated in Phibsborough which is frequently described as a vibrant neighbourhood on Dublin’s Northside.

Previously known as Cabra Park Lane. The recent name change to St. Peter’s Lane is a reference to the nearby St. Peter’s Church, a prominent landmark on the North Circular Road. As a matter of interest there another location for street art on the Southside named Peters Place near Charlemont Tram Stop.

Was An Urban Art Hub

St. Peter’s Lane had gained a reputation as an open-air canvas for street artists and one could expect find vibrant murals, stencils, and other forms of street art adorning its walls, making it an interesting spot for photography enthusiasts. Back before the Covid-19 lockdowns the artwork was ever-changing, so you might find something new on every visit!

Ambiance

The combination of street art and older surrounding architecture once gave the lane a unique and somewhat bohemian atmosphere and as it was much less known than other similar locations it offered a more “local” experience.

How to Find It

If you’re exploring Phibsborough, St. Peter’s Lane is easy to find off St. Peter’s Road or along Cabra Park. Online maps will guide you precisely, and websites like Excellent Street Images (my site) feature extensive photography of the lane’s artwork.

Additional Notes

According to a not so current tourist guide “due to its growing popularity as an artistic spot, expect to encounter other people appreciating or photographing the artwork. However, Like any urban environment, be mindful of your surroundings”.

Today there were three elderly women who appeared lost and somewhat horrified by the condition of the complex of lanes and I was the only photographer.

STREET ARTISTS IN DUBLIN FACE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES

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STREET ART ON HALLIDAY ROAD IN STONEYBATTER

Halliday Road is a residential street located in the Stoneybatter neighbourhood, known for its mix of traditional cottages and more modern homes. Stoneybatter is a popular area with a village-like feel despite being close to Dublin’s city centre.

Two large-scale murals on the gable ends of houses in Stoneybatter were commissioned by Dublin City Council, and this is one of them. Unfortunately my view was obstructed by people and parked cars.

Chris Judge is an illustrator, artist, and children’s picture book author from Dublin, Ireland. Since 2011, Chris has written and illustrated over 35 children’s books, often collaborating with authors like Roddy Doyle, David O’Doherty, and Eoin Colfer. His first book, The Lonely Beast, won the 2011 Specsavers Irish Children’s Book of the Year Award at the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.

Chris also creates large-scale artworks, most notably three large mosaics in collaboration with Triskill Design for Stanhope Street School in Dublin, Scoil Bhride in Kildare, and Mountrath Community School.

Street artists in Dublin face a number of challenges, including:

Legal Restrictions and Planning Permission: Dublin City Council takes a firm stance on street art, often requiring artists to obtain planning permission before painting murals. This can be a time-consuming and bureaucratic process, discouraging spontaneous expression which is a core element of street art. Occasionally, works are removed even if the building owner has consented.

Conflicting Views on Art: While many people appreciate the vibrancy and creativity that street art brings to urban spaces, others view it as vandalism or a nuisance. This can lead to tension with authorities and property owners.

Lack of Designated Spaces: Dublin lacks sufficient dedicated spaces for street artists to legally practice their craft. This leaves artists feeling limited and makes it difficult for them to showcase their work without risking legal consequences.

Competition: Dublin has a thriving street art scene. This fosters healthy competition but can also make it difficult for artists to gain recognition and stand out, especially for newcomers to the scene.

Economic Hardship: Like many artists, street artists in Dublin often struggle financially. Their art can be a source of income, but it might be inconsistent and unpredictable, especially if they face legal hurdles or lack of public recognition.

Initiatives and Organizations:

Some organisations are working to support street artists in Dublin and improve their circumstances. Groups like Subset advocate for greater acceptance of street art and lobby for the creation of more legal spaces for artists to express themselves. Such initiatives can potentially increase understanding and opportunities for street artists within Dublin’s community.

TRANSFORMATIVE URBAN LANDSCAPES

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URBAN EXPRESSION AT ARBOUR HILL BY SUBSET

Transformative Urban Landscapes: Subset’s Street Art in Ireland

Street art often serves as a vibrant and disruptive element within an urban landscape. In Ireland, the Dublin-based art collective Subset has gained prominence for its bold and thought-provoking murals that enliven city walls. Formed over a decade ago, the group is known for its diverse range of styles and its exploration of cultural icons alongside witty social commentary.

While street art’s ephemeral nature contributes to its allure, Subset’s ongoing Grey Area project has highlighted the challenges artists face in Ireland. The project emerged as a response to Dublin City Council’s approach to large-scale public artworks. Subset’s aim is to simplify the planning processes for street artists, ultimately seeking to transform Dublin into an open-air gallery.

Among Subset’s most iconic works is the 2017 mural dedicated to the grime rapper Stormzy, which graced Smithfield Plaza. The mural not only became a popular selfie spot but stood as a rare celebration of a Black artist within the Irish arts scene. Other notable Subset murals include their pieces featuring global figures like Donald Trump and David Attenborough, often infused with Subset’s signature brand of bold satire.

Alongside their independent street art, Subset has collaborated with established brands, demonstrating the growing impact and recognition of street art within contemporary advertising and visual communication. As the battle for artistic freedom in urban spaces continues, Subset remains at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of the Irish street art scene.

Let me know if want me to focus on any specific examples of Subset’s work.

URBAN EXPRESSION IN LIMERICK JULY 2016

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A VERY LIMITED SELECTION OF STREET ART

Much of the street art that I saw in Limerick was no longer to be seen when I last visited the city in 2022 as many of the locations had been demolished.

GULLIVER MURAL BY MEAGHAN QUINN AT THE OLD MART ON SUMMERHILL ROAD IN TRIM

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I USED AN OLD CANON 5DIII CAMERA

In July 2011 Trim Tidy Town’s all-out effort to win big in the National Tidy Towns Competition included a number of striking murals springing up around the town. One of the most colourful was a depiction of Gulliver at the old mart, which has become quite a tourist attraction. Until a few days ago I was unaware of the 30ft long mural. The painting of Gulliver and other murals at Spicer’s wall on Watergate Street and underneath the bridge at the Maudlins roundabout are the work of professional artist Meaghan Quinn.

The mart was the venue for the weekly livestock sales for 53 years until 2004 is destined to be used for a housing development. TE Potterton has been trading as an auctioneers since 1886, operating weekly livestock sales at Castle Street in Trim from 1957 until it relocated to an open site less than a mile away on Summerhill Road in 1962. The Trim Mart was for many years one of the largest on the north east.

Following its opening in May 2023 by Minister Heather Humphreys, Solstice Arts Centre undertook the management duties of the new Swift Cultural Centre in Trim on behalf of Meath County Council. The name reflects both the importance of the acclaimed author of “Gulliver Travels” and Trim resident, Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), as well as the significance of the swift to Trim’s wildlife and urban ecosystem. The Swift Cultural Centre will collaborate and share meeting rooms and cultural spaces with Trim Library to provide a diverse and enriching community learning, engagement and performance programme for the public. Community use by local artists, societies and community groups remain the primary and core value of the space.
The €9m development of the theatre and library included the refurbishment of the former St. Patrick’s Chapel for use as part of the centre. With a seating capacity of up to 235 people, Swift Cultural Centre provides a much-welcomed space for local drama, music and theatre groups.

Gulliver’s Travels, or Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships is a 1726 prose satire by the Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman Jonathan Swift, satirising both human nature and the “travellers’ tales” literary subgenre. It is Swift’s best-known full-length work and a classic of English literature. Swift claimed that he wrote Gulliver’s Travels “to vex the world rather than divert it”.

The book was an immediate success. The English dramatist John Gay remarked, “It is universally read, from the cabinet council to the nursery.” In 2015, Robert McCrum released his selection list of the 100 best novels of all time, where he called Gulliver’s Travels “a satirical masterpiece”.

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