‘Murals become icons in their own right’

Sport is art. The purest and most expressive form of art. Its participants compete at the same level on even playing fields.

But what tools could another artist use to celebrate the art form of sport, in a way that captures its popularity and special quality? 

“For me, murals have the power to transform urban spaces, bringing life, colour and identity to areas that might otherwise feel overlooked,” says Kevin Brennan, an exceptional artist who paints murals and buildings around Dublin with vibrant eye-catching colours.

“Murals become icons in their own right.”

Murals give a city a chance to remember sports moments and heroes in its public spaces every single day.

“Beyond aesthetics, murals make art accessible, allowing people to engage with creativity beyond traditional art gallery spaces,” Brennan says. “They become landmarks, spark conversations, and foster a sense of pride within a city.

“Sport is deeply woven into Irish culture, so making sports murals is especially significant.

“They commemorate moments of magic – honouring legendary figures, historic victories, and the spirit of a team.”

Art imitates life, it imitates sport. Although mural art displays a still picture, a frozen image that is never going to move or change its face, it somehow still has the ability to set our imagination on a bustling journey of remembrance. 

Sami Wakim of Street Art United States says that while sport and art are two quite different disciplines – “sport involves bodily kinesthetics while art involves creativity” – there are instances when the two intersect. This is most obvious in the beautiful and inclusive world and work of murals.

Dublin 7 and 8 are teaming with art. For example, there are the works of Emmalene Blake, who painted Katie Taylor outside the walls of Phibsboro’s Back Page pub. This pub also shares work with artist SubSet, who painted the young Irish MMA fighter Gary Rooney. 

Perhaps the most unusual piece of art on the Back Page pub, however, is the colourful and more abstract art piece that brings the pub’s front wall to life, and it is painted by none other than Kevin Brennan. 

“This mural was a particularly special project for me – an opportunity to bring my signature style of bold colours, geometric abstraction, and dynamic compositions into a public, high energy space.

“Creating a mural in such a well-loved part of Dublin, where sport and community are central, was both an exciting challenge and a rewarding experience.” 

Art like this work done by Kevin Brennan brings life to an area. This sort of art isn’t dying, but at the same time, not enough of this work is permitted on Dublin’s back streets. The city council’s effort to remove a Palestinian mural on Liberties sports pub Peadar Brown’s is just one example of the obstacles.

“Personally, I don’t think there are enough sports murals given the passion and dedication Irish people have for sport,” Brennan says. “It’s more than just a game, it’s about community, tradition, and shared memories. Murals that capture these moments preserve their energy in a visual form, ensuring they live on beyond the pitch.”

Not any random person is an artist, nor can any passerby construct a magnificent piece of art; but without a doubt, practically everyone can appreciate a work of art in this purest and most public form. 

“I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember, spending much of my childhood constantly drawing,” Brennan, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, tells me. “It became a more serious pursuit after I graduated, and while my focus initially revolved around studio-based painting, I was incredibly drawn to street art and murals for their immediacy, scale, and interaction with public spaces. 

“From an artist’s perspective, murals give walls a voice, turning blank spaces into something meaningful that resonates with those who pass by every day.” 

We all pass by art every day, but perhaps we don’t appreciate it enough. 

Great art is anywhere, and everywhere – look out for it every once in a while.