ABOUT THE MURAL AND THE ARTIST
🎨 The Paddy Power Mural (The Fishermen)
The large mural on the wall of the Paddy Power building in Thomondgate, which depicts Limerick fishermen in their traditional small boats (gandelows), was a project involving Pigtown Media and West Murals.
The Artist: The mural was created by West Murals, which is the professional name for artist Marcus O'Connor.
The Organisers: The project was a collaboration involving the Thomondgate Residents Association and the urban art group Draw Out.
Pigtown Media (run by Draw Out's Creative Director, Darren Ryan) was also involved in documenting or facilitating the project, which is why all three are associated with it in the post.
🐽 Why Limerick is Called "Pigtown"
Limerick earned the nickname "Pigtown" due to its rich history as a major international centre for the pork industry.
This reputation was built by four massive bacon factories operating in the heart of the city:
O'Mara's
Matterson's
Denny's
Shaw's (later Clover Meats)
These factories employed thousands of people and built an international reputation for their product, specifically "Limerick Ham." The industry was so central to the city's economy and daily life that the "Pigtown" nickname became a well-known and enduring part of Limerick's identity. Today, the name is celebrated in the annual Pigtown Festival.
The large mural on the wall of the Paddy Power building in Thomondgate, which depicts Limerick fishermen in their traditional small boats (gandelows), was a project involving Pigtown Media and West Murals.
The Artist: The mural was created by West Murals, which is the professional name for artist Marcus O'Connor.
The Organisers: The project was a collaboration involving the Thomondgate Residents Association and the urban art group Draw Out.
Pigtown Media (run by Draw Out's Creative Director, Darren Ryan) was also involved in documenting or facilitating the project, which is why all three are associated with it in the post.
🐽 Why Limerick is Called "Pigtown"
Limerick earned the nickname "Pigtown" due to its rich history as a major international centre for the pork industry.
This reputation was built by four massive bacon factories operating in the heart of the city:
O'Mara's
Matterson's
Denny's
Shaw's (later Clover Meats)
These factories employed thousands of people and built an international reputation for their product, specifically "Limerick Ham." The industry was so central to the city's economy and daily life that the "Pigtown" nickname became a well-known and enduring part of Limerick's identity. Today, the name is celebrated in the annual Pigtown Festival.
THE MURAL AND THE ARTIST