URBAN EXPRESSION BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

There Is Much To See Here

Streets Of Dublin

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.

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

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DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 75 AND A MURAL BY HOLLY PEREIRA

Holly Pereira is a muralist & illustrator based in Dublin. Her hand-painted murals are colourful, fun and bold, and create bright and exuberant environments in which we are invited to play. Holly often gets inspiration from folk art and typography.

Other Well-Known Street Artists

Maser: Ireland’s most prominent street artist, his style is bold and geometric, often with strong social commentary. His works address themes of love, equality, and social change.

James Earley: Creates stunning large-scale photorealistic murals. His work frequently portrays iconic Irish figures, historical moments, and explores themes of Irish identity.

Aches: This artist brings vibrant energy many walls with a whimsical style. Expect playful characters, often animals, rendered in bold colours.

Subset: A Dublin-based collective producing dynamic murals infused with social, psychological, and political themes. Their work is often thought-provoking and encourages contemplation.

Best Locations for Street Art in Dublin

Temple Bar: The cultural centre of Dublin boasts a high concentration of artwork tucked along its cobbled streets, alleys, and on the sides of bars and shops.

The Liberties (Dublin 8): Immerse yourself in this historic area brimming with diverse and exciting street art.

Camden Street Area [Specifically Liberty Lane]: This bustling district offers a mix of large, commissioned murals and smaller gems waiting to be discovered.

Portobello (near the Grand Canal): Explore this trendy neighbourhood to find smaller-scale but equally impressive artworks.


Additional Tips

Keep Your Eyes Peeled: Dublin’s street art scene is always changing! Don’t limit yourself to these areas. Art can pop up in unexpected places.

Consider a Tour: Guided walking tours dedicated to street art provide a deeper understanding of the pieces, the artists, and the city’s relationship with this art form.
Check Out the Website: Dublin Walls (https://dublinwalls.com/) features maps and information on artists and their works.

EXAMPLES OF STREET ART 10 FEBRUARY 2024

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PHOTOGRAPHED USING A SIGMA DP1 QUATTRO

The Year of the Dragon has arrived and I decided to celebrate by having lunch at Eatokyo on Capel Street. I live on Bolton Street which is at the end of Capel street and I had expected that there would be some Lunar New Year events on Capel Street so I brought a camera. Unfortunately my decision to use my Sigma DP1 Quattro proved to be a mistake. The Sigma DP1 Quattro is at best it is difficult to use. The low light performance is very poor and it is close to impossible to use any setting other than ISO100. In low light camera shake ruins many of the images and any movement within the frame makes the captured image unusable.

Anyway, I discovered that the planned events are scheduled for Sunday 11 February so I decided to visit the Kevin Street area and Portobello which gave me the opportunity to photograph examples of street art but unfortunately the captured images proved to be disappointing.

THE FAIRY FOREST BY TANIA ROSAS -224999

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LOCATED IN RATHFARNHAM VILLAGE IN DUBLIN

Tania Rosas, a multicultural illustrator, animator and video content creator is currently based in Dublin, Ireland. Her dream to bring a splash of joy to people’s lives through illustrations & videos.

https://taniarosasdesigns.com/pages/tania-rosas

WHILE WAITING FOR THE HUNGRY MEXICAN TO OPEN I EXPLORED THE BACK LANE

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URBAN EXPRESSION ON BEDFORD LANE

Today I decided to have lunch at the Hungry Mexican on Aston Quay but when I arrived I discovered that they did not open until 4PM so I decided to spend about thirty minutes exploring the lane complex behind the restaurant as well as other parts of Temple Bar. Fortunately I had my iPhone 12 Pro Max which I use as a camera rather than as a phone. However, I had some problems with the device as I have a beta version of the operating system installed and it had automatically updated overnight and the update impacted on the performance of my Halide Camera app.

“The Icon Walk Dublin is a multi-street public art installation which showcases original artwork by many different local artists of Irish icons from many disciplines including: writers and playwrights, sports icons, musicians, and actors from the performing arts. The Icon Walk Dublin is accessible and relevant, collaborative and inclusive, efficient and adaptable. It is a sustainable and economical model for public art projects, that is truly iconic and inspirational.”

The Icon Factory is a not-for-profit co-operative of Dublin based artists. It consists of a small workshop, gallery and shop. However, their main contribution to the area is the Icon Walk and having spoken to one artist it is more than possible that they could operate equally well from another location and still maintain and even enhance their Temple Bar activities.

JENNY’S CHAIR BY ALBENTY AT MONTPELIER HILL

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THIS HAS SURVIVED SINCE 2016

Originally, when I first published photographs of this artwork, I said that I believed that it was dedicated to someone named Jenny. Today I discovered that title is “Jenny’s Chair”

Albenty is an Irish street artist who is known for his colourful and playful murals. He often depicts animals, plants, and other natural elements in his work, and his pieces often have a whimsical or humorous touch. Albenty’s work can be found all over Dublin, and he has also exhibited his work in galleries in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Albenty is a self-taught artist who began painting graffiti in the early 2000s. He quickly developed his own unique style, and his work has been praised for its originality and its ability to brighten up the urban landscape. Albenty is also known for his commitment to social justice, and many of his murals address issues such as poverty, homelessness, and environmentalism.

In addition to his street art, Albenty also creates prints, paintings, and sculptures. He has collaborated with a number of other artists, including Maser, Aches, and Subset. Albenty’s work has been featured in a number of publications, including The Irish Times, The Guardian, and Vice.

[Note: I have been unable to fully verify the information relating to Albenty]

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

“Jenny’s Chair marks a three-year campaign by Jenny and a group of women from Montpelier Hill and Drive in response to an increasing number of incidents where children and young girls were being approached by kerb crawlers in the area. From 2003 to 2006, these women kept vigil on the street every night (except for Tuesdays which was Bingo night!), warning kerb crawlers that they were being watched and would be reported. The women’s efforts were ahead of their time, targeting the men who were soliciting and not the women involved in prostitution. The law was eventually changed in 2017 to make it an offence to purchase sex.”

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