Kerry community ‘unsettled' by animal skulls and religious message on walls
Sheep skulls on walls and religious messaging emblazoned on a hay shed in rural Kerry is causing discomfort for locals and tourists who say it's intimidating and unsightly.
The Kerryman received complaints from people in West Kerry after a message appeared on the side of a farm shed stating, 'The Lord is my Shephard I shall fear no Evil' and 'For those who pour out lies will perish'.
The presence of a religious cross, figurines, headstones, and animal skulls – thought to be sheep heads – situated in the garden of a premises were also highlighted.
But the recent appearance of religious messages from the Old Testament have caused the most unease in what is a well-known tourist hotspot.
A public complaint was sent to the planning enforcement office of Kerry County Council (KCC) with locals insisting the message comes under the category of 'painted murals' and therefore requires planning permission.
The message is visible from a public road used by locals and tourists who have called it invasive, unnecessary and out of character with a rural area. One local described it as 'a bit heavy' saying it is 'right in your face'.
An Garda Síochána informed residents there is nothing they can do as it is within an individual's private property. The guards say the painted message is a matter for KCC's planning department.
When contacted, the resident of the property denied painting the religious message but stated he had no objection to it.
'I'm not concerned at all by what people think of it. I saw it there a few nights ago. I'm not the slightest bit bothered by it. As for the skulls, it's just a bit of art, isn't it? It's a piece of art in a boring piece of ground,' he told The Kerryman.
A cross erected in a public area without consultation.
'I'm not in a rush to wash it off. It's interesting that people are complaining about it. It's strange they should complain about it in what is a Catholic country. Maybe we should be seeing more of it. I'd call myself more of a spiritual man than a devout Catholic. Who knows, it might be turned into a tourist attraction yet,' he added.
Locals have described the messaging as 'very unsettling' and not something they, or tourists, should have to see.
'As bad as it is looking at skulls and headstones, at least they are in the person's garden. The skulls are mostly sheep or ram, there's five or six of these things hanging up on the wall,' said a local.
'It's all very intense. It's a beautiful area with so many people passing through at this time of year. People are stopping and pointing at it. It looks awful. Seeing the words 'Lord' and 'Evil' in capital writing is intimidating. This is a very strong, intensive message. We want the council to do something about this,' he added.
Religious messages on a farm shed in Kerry.
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