Droichead Arts Centre Droichead Arts Centre

The Lighthouse Project is a site-specific response to lighthouses around Ireland, curated by Dani Gill and produced in partnership with the Arts Council, festivals, venues and Arts Offices nationwide. From 2021 to 2022, Droichead Arts Centre, and Meath County Arts Office collaborated with the project to offer five artists the site of Mornington, County Meath. Mornington is home to three light houses (the North, West and East light) along with the additional architecture of: Lady’s Finger, the Maiden’s Tower and the ancient beacons where fires were originally lit before the presence of lighthouses.

Artists SJ McArdle, Jackie Hudson Lalor, Jessica Traynor, Laura Sheeran and Róisín Ward Morrow have created an audio experience mirroring the landscape and the tales surrounding it. The track includes original poetry from Jessica Traynor, Wandering Lighthouses and Driftwood Fire, set to music by Róisín Ward Morrow and new songs from SJ McArdle, To the Lighthouse and The Ship of Theseus. Jackie Hudson Lawlor created the limited edition print Mornington at Night which is also the cover of this brochure designed by Jackie. Laura Sheeran edited the audio experience and documented the site.

The Morrígan by FRIZ (Patrick Street)

FRIZ’ work leans towards presenting powerful female characters and explores our connection with the natural world, resulting in the perfect match as she has been tasked with representing The Morrígan. The Morrígan is a Triple Goddess. She is sometimes portrayed as one of a triune of female war deities and is seen to psychologically effect armies and warriors with her shapeshifting abilities!

Sligo native FRIZ is a visual artist currently based in Bangor, Co. Down, working in both digital and traditional mediums. Her work explores history, myths and folklore that shapes the cultural identity of a place and uses these stories to create a journey of discovery for people.

Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Gráinne Rafferty. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.

Many thanks to all the partners engaged in this piece including Louth County Council, Chris Connolly, the d hotel, Colourtrend, Murtagh's of Drogheda & Height for Hire.

Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S (Business Improvement District Scheme), in partnership with Louth County Council Arts Office and curators Dee Walsh and Brian Hegarty (33-45). Working together with local, national and international artists, and mythologist Anthony Murphy, to deliver six murals based on some of the key figures from Irish Mythology who are rooted in the Boyne Valley region, the project will be delivered across a number of strands which will draw on Drogheda’s significant rich heritage, mythology and architecture.

Dagda by Russ (St Laurence Street)

Russ was tasked with presenting the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Dagda. Dagda reigned as king for 80 years. One of his many names, Deirgderc, translates as 'red eye', leading scholars to identify Dagda as an early solar deity.

Muralist/Painter Russ from France, is interested in the evolution of matter and state through time. The result is dreamlike compositions, sometimes surrealistic, where plants and symbols of life cycles anchor the viewer in their own reality.

Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Niall O'Brien. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.

Many thanks to all the partners engaged in this piece including Louth County Council, Ciara Nixon, Laurence St. Shopping Centre and Pillardale Ltd., the d hotel, Colourtrend, Murtagh's of Drogheda & Height for Hire.

Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S (Business Improvement District Scheme), in partnership with Louth County Council Arts Office and curators Dee Walsh and Brian Hegarty (33-45). Working together with local, national and international artists, and mythologist Anthony Murphy, to deliver six murals based on some of the key figures from Irish Mythology who are rooted in the Boyne Valley region,  the project will be delivered across a number of strands which will draw on Drogheda’s significant rich heritage, mythology and architecture.

Salmon of Knowledge by Ciarán Dunlevy (Dyer Street)

They say a picture can say a thousand words and we hope that the newly commissioned Salmon of Knowledge mural on the Fitzwilliam Court building will create a thousand conversations and a deeper understanding of our local heritage.

Ciarán Dunlevy has been selected as the first artist to showcase Drogheda’s mythological past with the retelling of the Salmon of Knowledge story. Ciarán’s style of wall art is based on super realism and as part of the research process into the piece, Ciaran met with local artist Richard Moore and Anthony Murphy and local fishermen who identified a specific area where there would have been opportunities to catch salmon at a weir in the river, Knowth and Dowth stand proudly in the background. This piece depicts the story of Fionn MacCumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge and is masterfully delivered by Ciaran Dunlevy in two parts with the catching of the Salmon by Finegas and then the transfer of wisdom to Fionn.

Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Niall O'Brien. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.

Many thanks to all the partners engaged in this piece including Louth County Council, Fitzwilliam Court, Wogans Interiors, Johnstone Paint & Height for Hire. Great appreciation to Declan Kierans, Leo Monahan, and Willie Smyth for their assistance in making this happen.

Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S (Business Improvement District Scheme), in partnership with Louth County Council Arts Office and curators Dee Walsh and Brian Hegarty (33-45). Working together with local, national and international artists, and mythologist Anthony Murphy, to deliver six murals based on some of the key figures from Irish Mythology who are rooted in the Boyne Valley region,  the project will be delivered across a number of strands which will draw on Drogheda’s significant rich heritage, mythology and architecture.

Amergin by AERO (Drogheda Port Wall)

AERO has produced the story of Ireland’s famous bard, poet and judge of the Milesians, Amergin. While under attack from the Tuatha Dé Danann, Amergin miraculously calmed the sea by chanting a poem, before setting foot safely on land, near Drogheda.

AERO, is a self-taught painter born in France. His work provokes emotions, reactions and reflections, and he enjoys participating in giving public spaces meaning.

Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Niall O'Brien. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.

Many thanks to all the partners engaged in this piece including Louth County Council, Paul Fleming, Nessa Lally, Laurence Kirwan and Drogheda Port, the d hotel, Colourtrend, Murtagh's of Drogheda & Height for Hire.

Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S (Business Improvement District Scheme), in partnership with Louth County Council Arts Office and curators Dee Walsh and Brian Hegarty (33-45). Working together with local, national and international artists, and mythologist Anthony Murphy, to deliver six murals based on some of the key figures from Irish Mythology who are rooted in the Boyne Valley region,  the project will be delivered across a number of strands which will draw on Drogheda’s significant rich heritage, mythology and architecture.

Boann by Lula Goce (Abbey Lane)

Lula Goce has depicted the ancient story of Boann. Boann was the goddess of the Boyne, who's name was given to the river after an erupting well carried her to the sea, where she fatefully drowned.

Lula Goce, a graduate of fine art and painting from Spain, discovered a thriving underground graffiti scene during some time living in Barcelona, and thus her love for urban art festivals began. Lula enjoys the dialogue that is established between passers-by and residents alike as wall art takes shape and in its finality alters community spaces and neighbourhoods for the better. The fact these pieces become integral to the area, drives Lula to new heights of artistic endeavour when creating these pieces. The protagonists of her work are almost always women and children combined with nature.

Stories by Anthony Murphy. Adapted by Gráinne Rafferty. Performed by Gráinne Rafferty. Original soundscape by Niall Gregory. Sound Editor Sean McCluskey at Basement Sounds.

Many thanks to all the partners engaged in this piece including Louth County Council, David Courtney and all at Brú Digital Hub, the d hotel, Colourtrend Paints, Murtagh's of Drogheda & Height for Hire.

Produced by Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S (Business Improvement District Scheme), in partnership with Louth County Council Arts Office and curators Dee Walsh and Brian Hegarty (33-45). Working together with local, national and international artists, and mythologist Anthony Murphy, to deliver six murals based on some of the key figures from Irish Mythology who are rooted in the Boyne Valley region,  the project will be delivered across a number of strands which will draw on Drogheda’s significant rich heritage, mythology and architecture.