30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Impressive new Louth mural brings mythical Drawda urban art trail to a fiery finish
Commissioned by Love Drogheda BID and Droichead Arts Centre, the latest mural depicts Balor, an imposing one-eyed giant from Irish legend locked in battle with his grandson, the warrior Lugh. The piece is one of the largest murals in Ireland, and now occupies a prominent position on the wall of Scotch Hall.
Balor, a central figure in the lore of the Fomorians, is remembered for his destructive "evil eye" and his role in ancient conflicts with the Tuatha Dé Danann. His mythological links to the Boyne Valley, particularly the Standing Stones at Baltray, make him a fitting final figure for a project so deeply rooted in local legend.
The DRAWDA trail has transformed Drogheda into an outdoor gallery of myth and storytelling. Other featured deities and figures include The Morrigan, The Dagda, and Amergin, all brought to life by a blend of local, national, and international artists.
A self-guided audio trail, accessible via QR codes beside each mural, allows visitors to delve deeper into each myth. The stories are based on retellings by Anthony Murphy, adapted by Gráinne Rafferty, and voiced by Niall O'Brien and Gráinne Rafferty, with original music by Niall Gregory and editing by Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.
Set against the backdrop of Drogheda's medieval walls, ancient gates, and sacred sites, the project celebrates the town's unique position within Ireland's Ancient East and the rich storytelling traditions of the Boyne Valley.
The DRAWDA Urban Art Trail was produced by Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with Love Drogheda BID, and funded by Louth County Council, Fáilte Ireland's Urban Animation Fund, the Arts Council's In the Open, Faoin Spéir initiative, and the Town & Village Accelerated Measures programme. Additional support came from The Marcy Hotel, Murtagh's of Drogheda, and Drogheda Height for Hire.
With Balor's fiery presence now towering above the town, Drogheda has firmly cemented its place as a modern-day capital of Irish myth and urban creativity.
