From arctic explorers and architects, to mythological figures and even US Presidents, the walls of Dundalk have many stories to tell.
Events have been taking place around the country to mark National Heritage Week, including a walking tour of murals around the Co Louth town today.
The first murals appeared as part of the SEEK Urban Arts Festival in Dundalk in 2019, which has grown to 23 murals over the last five years.
Each mural celebrates or commemorates people, legends or great traditions of the town, and they have been created by both Irish and international artists.
The town already boasts murals of Cúchulainn, Lú and St Brigid, and this year the boy Setanta is one of five new works of art.
Before he became known as Cúchulainn, Setanta is said to have been born outside Dundalk at Castletown Motte, known today as Cúchulainn's Castle.
"This is Cúchulainn country!", says tour guide Liam Gaynor.
"This is where he was born, grew up and died, he died just out side Dundalk, so there’s huge connections to Cúchulainn".
Liam has been a guiding people through Dundalk’s murals for the last three years, his tours bringing together the history and heritage of the town.
"It’s important we concentrate a lot on the heritage. But it’s fantastic to have the murals, because the tours wouldn’t have happened without the murals".
Those who joined Liam’s tour today also learned about 13th century figure Roesia de Verdun.
A wife, mother, widow, and later a nun, Roesia de Verdun is said to be the only woman to have built a castle in Ireland.
Castle Roche, about 7km from Dundalk is credited to Roesia, who is portrayed in the mural wearing her her religious garb.
Also new this year, are murals to celebrate US President Joe Biden, whose ancestors hail from the Cooley Peninsula.
A Presidential seal now marks the side of The Food House where he stopped off during his visit to the town in April of this year.
Around the corner, another mural pays tribute all Irish-American presidents, including Joe Biden, and also Irish people who emigrated to America.
The murals came about with the help of local organisations including Dundalk BIDS (Business Improvement District) and Creative Spark.
Sarah Daly of Creative Spark said that the the murals are intended to celebrate the people, history and creativity of the town.
"It really has given a sense of pride back to the people of Dundalk", she said.
"They’ve brought colour and character to the town and people are really happy about that, because Dundalk, it was a little bit grey, and it’s had it’s troubles, but I think this has given people a sense of pride of place and a sense of the heritage of the town and the county which is really important".
There are plans for more murals in the future, but it’s also hoped that the urban arts festival, which started with murals, can be broadened out in other creative ways, to celebrate all Dundalk has to offer.
