Revitalizing Wicklow Town: A Mural and Arts Trail in the Making

The Wicklow Town Team is on a mission to reanimate and revitalize the important links between Main Street, South Quay, harbor, and Market Square in Wicklow town. The team has embarked on a project to create a series of stunning murals that celebrate the town’s maritime heritage and historical connections to the Irish Sea.

Led by project leader Evelyn Murray, the team has enlisted the talents of Irish artist John Brady to create a beautiful mural at Wicklow Sailing Club, depicting the Round Ireland Yacht Race. This mural celebrates the sailing activity that takes place at the harbor and highlights the strong links between sailing and the town.

In addition to the sailing mural, artist Curtis Hayden has completed a smaller mural at Bridge Street Books, featuring the Children of Lir, to promote reading and encourage visits to the bookshop. The team also has plans for a larger mural at New Street, focusing on the historical theme of the old ballroom that used to be located there.

These new murals will join existing artworks at various locations around town, including Anchor House, the Scout Hall, Salthouse Lane, and the Doctor’s Steps. The project has been so well-received that other residents have expressed interest in having murals painted on their properties.

To enhance the visitor experience, each mural will have a QR code that links to information about the artist and directs visitors to the next mural. The team is also developing a Golly Trail to showcase Wicklow’s tradition of golly fishing, with animated golly characters guiding visitors through the town.

The official launch of the mural, arts, and culture trails is set to take place after June’s local elections. With a total of nine large murals, 12 arts and culture locations, and the Golly Trail to explore, visitors can look forward to a two-hour walking tour that celebrates Wicklow’s rich heritage and artistic talent.