Um... is that Gerry lurking in the background?
A mammoth new project has risen to take its place in the open-air museum of dubious public artwork that is Belfast city. Behold, the Rory McIlroy mural!
Completed by artist Danny Devenny at the behest of local landlord Declan Boyle, the two-storey mural depicts the world No2 rolling into a full finish against a background of Northern Irish landmarks.
Situated on Damascus Street in Belfast’s south-inner city, the work was commissioned with a view to “brighten[ing] up” an otherwise underprivileged area.
In the fortnight since its completion, however, the painting has succeeded in winning over few local residents. Quite the opposite, in fact: a significant lobby has declared it both patronising and irrelevent.
Speaking to the Belfast Media Group, moaner-at-large Carole Phillips explained her position.
“The mural provides nothing positive for the residents or the area, it just glosses over the on-going problems. We are a lost community struggling to survive and murals are not going to make us feel any better. Would this mural be welcomed with open arms if it were on a house on the Malone Road? I think not.”
The widespread sense of bemusement has also found a voice on Twitter.
Taken aback by the criticism his monument to Northern Ireland’s most famous sporting export has received, Mr. Boyle insists locals were afforded the opportunity to voice their concerns prior to the project’s commencement.
“The mural idea was discussed with residents a month and a half ago and no objections were made then. I’ve been speaking to a group of Americans who have been taking pictures of it and think it’s great. It has definitely brightened up and enhanced the area.”
Pah, and they say Americans have no sense of irony!
Conor Nagle
Murals in poor areas are actually a really good thing, when done right. Generally speaking doing it right involves having the local kids come up with what they want as a mural and participate in making it. The idea being a sense of ownership.
I’m not sure I’d really want a two story Rory mural in my neighborhood either
The Mural is Thick
Mr. Boyle is a fool eegit
Murals are kind of a Northern Ireland thing. And Rory deserves it (although his facial expression is giggle-worthy).
You’d think he would shoo away the rabbits before he hit the ball.
I’ve been to Belfast. Most of the murals are a lot more political then this.
It’s not particularly pretty but it’s a darn sight better than the depictions of paramilitaries …
If rory has used his wealth and fame to help the local town, then the mural is fitting. Otherwise it’s a desperate attempt to cash in on his fame and patronizing especially if he has done nothing for the locals other than being originally from the place
Declan Boyle only ever satisfies Declan Boyle. Rory is not from the area so what other reason is there for having such a mural painted there? Declan Boyle is as reviled in Malone where his kids terrorise the neighbourhood as he is for this out of place mural!