Wonderful pictures of Ciarán Dunlevy’s Portlaoise mural from back in June.
There has been a lot intrigue over the last few weeks as a beautiful new mural has gone up on a former Laois hotel.
Renowned mural artist, Ciarán Dunlevy, has been working on a large artwork that spans the three floors of the old County Hotel in Portlaoise.
Locals have been enjoying watching the beautiful piece come together and speculating on what is being depicted.
The mural, commissioned by Laois County Council is a tribute to Fionn Mac Cumhail, one of Ireland’s most formidable mythological warriors who grew up in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Laois.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the piece, Dunlevy says: “When local poet Laura Murphy shared her new poem with me, I was intrigued.
“As well as learning that Fionn spent his formative years in Laois, I also became aware that he was nurtured and trained by women.
“When Laura read the lines honouring the three women that made Fionn Mac Cumhail, the scene of the mural instantly appeared in my imagination and I thought we need to honour these women on a wall.”
Fionn’s mother was a beautiful long-haired woman called Muirne. At the time of his birth, she and Fionn were in danger.
To protect him she entrusted Fionn into the care of his aunt, a Druidess named Bodhmall and her companion, a Warrioress named Liath Luachra. Bodhmall and Liath devoted their lives to minding and training Fionn.
They taught him to swim, run, jump, hunt as well as poetry and the martial arts of Ireland.
The mural depicts the scene on the one day that Fionn’s mother came to see him in secret. Muirne looks on in great joy and longing as she watches him playing happily with Bodhmall and Liath in the woodland surrounding Glenbarrow Waterfall.
Speaking of the ethereal being that emanates from the waterfall, Dunlevy says: “This is a tribute to the visionary art of AE Russell, a preeminent figure of the Celtic Revival whose representations of the Aos Sí, the otherworldly beings of Ireland or the ‘Shining Ones’, are beautiful beyond measure but have been, for far too long, overlooked.”
Muireann Ní Chonaill, Laois Arts Officer said: “This mural brings a vibrant, magical energy to Portlaoise’s Main Street.
“It is wonderful to see this visual artist’s response to the work of our local poet Laura Murphy.
“Ciarán has done a wonderful job in honouring Fionn and the women who made him.”
SEE ALSO – Check out all our 2022 Remembered stories here
