A Fringe Event of the Skibbereen Arts Festival
Every wall has a story to tell.
Since the first murals were created as part of the Skibbereen Arts Festival in 2018, the project has grown into an ambitious community-led initiative celebrating the history, heritage and creativity of Skibbereen. Through successive collaborations between artists, local businesses, historians and volunteers, each new mural has added another chapter to the town's evolving story.
This year marks an exciting new milestone with the launch of Skibbereen's Painted Past - a growing heritage trail that brings together the town's murals through artist stories, historical interpretation and digital content. Supported by the Airbnb Rural Tourism Fund, the project will introduce a dedicated website, QR-linked interpretation and printed mural maps, creating a lasting visitor experience that encourages people to explore Skibbereen's rich cultural heritage at their own pace.
Alongside this exciting development, visitors will once again have the opportunity to experience live public art as new murals are created during the festival period. This year we go to Fallon's Quay on North Street (behind Embellish). Watch artists at work, meet the people behind the paintings and witness local stories being transformed into permanent public artworks that celebrate the people, places and history of Skibbereen.
Today, the project is about far more than murals. It is about preserving stories, celebrating local artists, revitalising public spaces and creating a cultural legacy that will continue to grow year after year. By connecting heritage, creativity and tourism, Skibbereen's Painted Past is helping to transform the town into an open-air gallery where every mural invites visitors to discover another piece of Skibbereen's story.