The artist behind the recent murals popping up around Enniskillen says it brings him great pride to bring some colour to the town.
Local artist Kevin McHugh, originally from Donagh, is putting the finishing touches to his latest masterpiece on the wall of Pat’s Bar in the Diamond. Commissioned by local business group Enniskillen BID, Kevin’s latest mural of a trad session featuring local musicians has gone down a treat with those in the Co Fermanagh town in recent days.
Kevin told MyFermanagh he has been overwhelmed by the amount of people stopping with him this week to have a chat and thank him for the work.
READ MORE: The cheapest pint in Co Fermanagh revealed
“It’s unbelievable the amount of people that have stopped in for chat,” Kevin said.
“I spend maybe 80% of my time alone in a studio doing paintings or book illustrations and stuff like that. If I have a book to do you maybe wouldn’t see me for six weeks so I love when the summer comes in and I get to do these murals. I get to practise being a sociable person again!
“It’s such a busy spot here in the Diamond. I've been chatting to people all over the world this week, it’s great. I’m nearly hoarse from talking at this stage. It’s looking really nice it brings a wee bit of quirkiness to the town.
“They’re also meant to be conversation pieces. We want to get people talking and they’ve definitely got people talking to me anyway.
“I’ve been around here since I was a teenager and it’s nice to get working here and to be able to put my mark on it.”
Kevin added that it was the local pub that offered up the idea of a traditional music session initially. He also said that a familiar face to many Co Fermanagh people will be permanently etched into the town’s walls.
Kevin added: “Pat’s Bar offered their wall up for a mural as part of this series of murals.
“They came up with the idea of doing a trad session, and it was just perfect for the spot because there are lots of music sessions and buskers here in the town all the time. It was the perfect thing to bring a wee bit of life to the town.
“Most of the people in it are fictional, but the man on the fiddle is John McManus. He’s a legendary fiddle player and thought it would be a lovely wee tribute to put John in there.”
Noelle McAloon from Enniskillen BID said it was great to bring the new street art work to the town.
“People are wanting more murals as they love how they bring colour to the town centre, so we had to deliver with one right on The Diamond” Noelle said.
“It’s lovely to see it all come together and we have plans in place to bring more of these to Enniskillen in the months ahead.”
READ NEXT:
-
Man arrested after multiple police officers injured in alleged Enniskillen assault
-
Gourmet Bros to expand into old Eason building on High Street in Enniskillen
-
Channel 4 series Ireland Coast & Country will take viewers on a journey through emerald isle
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
