Beyond The Pavement

by Samuel Becker

The streets of Dublin are colourful, vibrant, hectic and diverse. Dublin 8 is the embodiment of Dublin’s cultural identity and a perfect example of the influence of the developing street art scene on the cityscape. When wandering through the district, you can easily be distracted by the beauty of the countless pieces all over— some large and some so tiny you might have trouble even finding them. As beautiful as they are, many also hold powerful political and social messages.

At 62 Donore Avenue, there is a mural painted by local artists Vanessa Power and Garreth Joyce, displaying a quote from Irish poet and novelist James Joyce: ‘They lived and laughed and loved and left.” It is a memento to the last residents of St. Teresa’s Gardens, whose flats have been demolished as part of the St. Teresa’s Gardens Regeneration Project—a project designed to redevelop the area, which has led to the number of homes being reduced.

One of Dublin’s most popular street artists, Maser, is famous for his vibrant pieces and 3D-style installations. Represented all over the city, Maser even established a creative studio and gallery space in Dublin 2. In the heart of Dublin 8, his “U ARE ALIVE” mural gives a certain sense of warmth to the streets, telling a story of the importance of self-evaluation and self-worth.

Designed and painted several years ago, the piece is currently on its fourth iteration, given makeovers on occasions like the Irish marriage equality referendum in 2015 and collaborations with other artists.

Only some murals are approved by the Dublin City Council, though. The council is trying to take some of them down - which led to an ongoing trial between it and an artist collective. You can read more about that on the page.