Originally rejected by communities as dirtying or obscuring a cityscape, street art is celebrated today worldwide. Recent beautification movements have re-framed murals by street artists as embellishing and uplifting, even as food for creative inspiration – particularly where there would otherwise be grey, empty, or dilapidated wall space. Where the purpose of an artwork is public visibility, boldness is centre stage, but examples of Irish street art in 2021 have much more of a decorative intent than ever before.

Not only does Dublin street art lift its landscape, it serves to represent the personality of the city. There is movement, vibrancy and lots of text (speaking perhaps to the constantly moving, always-talking Irish). Vanessa Power’s massive messages yell out Dublinisms (“Me Aul Flower!”) and quote James Joyce. Kinmx’s fantastical characters harmonise otherwise plain scenes. James Earley’s intricate artworks reference the sharpness and contrast of stained glass. Animals feature in Dan Leo’s murals, created in a graphic, edgy style. Aches is famous for his multi-dimensional, neon figures that are seemingly in constant motion.

But efforts to beautify a cityscape are not limited to murals painted on commercial buildings. A mural for the exterior of a two-storey house could capture the home’s personality and, can serve a functional requirement – featuring its house number, for instance. Dublin street artist Holly Pereira’s busy, bustling depictions feature sweetly-coloured birds, plants, foxes, and messages, pictured below.

Scroll to see where you can find some of the best street art in Ireland …

“Metamorphosis” by Kinmx, St John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2.

“Sifter Bile” by Case McClaim, New Ross, depicts one of the founders of the town.

“Donore Ave, Dublin 8” by Vanessa Power and Garreth Joyce, Dublin 8.

“An Puc” by Aches, Anglesey Road, Co Cork.

Blooms Hotel, Temple Bar, by James Earley.

“Cat” b Dan Leo, Waterford.

“Fox” by Holly Pereira, Dublin 8.

“Starling” by Holly Pereira, Co Dublin.

Ballerina/boxer mural, by Solus, Sandycove, Co Dublin.