“Murals become icons in their own right”

Sport is art. The purest and most mortally expressive form of art. Many athletes compete at the same level on a completely even playing field. But how does one display this art form, with utensils? 

“For me, murals have the power to transform urban spaces, bringing life, colour and identity to areas that might otherwise feel overlooked. Murals become icons in their own right.” This was the opinion of Kevin Brennan, a graduate of a Bachelor’s degree in fine art and an exceptional artist who paints murals and buildings around Dublin with vibrant eye-catching colours. 

Murals give a city a chance to remember sports moments every single day. “Beyond aesthetics, murals make art accessible, allowing people to engage with creativity beyond traditional art gallery spaces. They become landmarks, spark conversations, and foster a sense of pride within a city.”

“Sport is deeply woven into Irish culture, 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, and although art is a still picture, 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, said to think of sport and art as two different disciplines. Sport involves bodily kinesthetics while art involves creativity, however there are instances when the two intersect, and this is the beautiful work of murals.

The Liberties are teaming with art. From the works of Emmalene Blake, who painted Katie Taylor outside the walls of Phibsborough’s ‘The Back Page’ pub. This pub shares work with an artist called SubSet who painted the young Irish MMA fighter Gary Rooney. 

The most exciting piece of art on The Back Page pub in Phibsborough however; is the colourful 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. 

“Personally, I don’t think there are enough sports murals given the passion and dedication Irish people have for sport. 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 single shadow of a doubt, every single Irish or non-Irish individual can appreciate a piece of art in its purest form, public showcase. 

“I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember, spending much of my childhood constantly drawing. 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.” 

In the closing words of Kevin Brennan: “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. 

Appreciate street art. In the famous words of Ratatouille’s Anton Ego – Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. 

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