All over the Fair City, there is great street art to be seen, and the best thing is, it’s free.
Visit any major European city and you will see loads and loads of graffiti. Rome, Berlin, Madrid and London are all covered in impromptu paint, ranging from the very crude to the simply sublime. We know some people don’t like it but we think it adds an edge to a city to see artistic expression on every corner.
Dublin may still have a bit to go to match their European cousins, but dotted around the city lots of great pieces can be seen, sometimes sadly very briefly, for anyone to enjoy.
Your best bet is to set off on foot, make a day of it, and take in the very best that the city has to offer.
The best place to start is probably at the Bernard Shaw pub on Richmond Street South. Their now legendary yard/smoking area/BBQ spot is huge and the walls are a constantly changing canvas for some of Ireland’s best street artists. And you can have a drink while you take in the artwork.
Once you leave, make sure to check the advertising hoardings on your right as you head towards town, as they usually have some pretty nifty paintjobs too.
A short walk takes you to Camden Row, a small side street near Whelans. There, around the back of the music venue, is more great, and really large, artwork. It is well worth a trip and it makes queuing to get into a gig a much more pleasant experience too.
From there, we reckon you should head to the Tivoli car park, on Francis Street, another very large space that has allowed graffiti artists to do their thing on a grand scale. It may not be as accessible as the other sites here, but when it is open, it is one of the best in Dublin.
Heading back towards the city centre, you should take in Maser’s most famous work, the large portrait of BP Fallon on the side of The Button factory (above). Probably Ireland’s best known street artist. Maser’s work can be seen all over the city, and he currently has a big piece in the Bernard Shaw too.
Finally, if you still have the legs, head to Windmill Lane, which was probably the first major spot for graffiti in Dublin. Started by fans of U2, who would make the trek there to visit the band’s studio, the area is constantly covered in an evolving piece of art. Just try and go early and avoid the tourists.
After that, head for a well-earned drink of Jameson before heading home to draw something on the end of your own gaff.
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