They say you can take the girl out of Kerry, but you can’t take the Kerry out of the girl. When I first arrived in London as a teenager in the 1870s, I brought with me a dream of a better life and a deep love for the traditions of home. Today, my namesake pub in Shoreditch continues that legacy, and we’ve recently added a bit of “rebel” spirit to our walls on Rivington Street.
If you’ve wandered past the corner of Curtain Road lately, you might have spotted a young lad in a red waistcoat perched on a ledge, carefully “finishing” a piece of work. That’s our new mural, a hand-painted tribute to Murphy’s Irish Stout, the smooth, creamy heart of our pub.
A Rebel Stout for a Rebel Spirit
While many are focused on the “black stuff” from Dublin, here at Nancy Spains, we champion the pride of Cork. Murphy’s Brewery was founded in 1856, a few months before I was born in the rolling hills outside Tralee. It’s only fitting that our walls should reflect that shared history.
The mural, which you can see uses a “trompe l’oeil” style. That’s a fancy way of saying it creates an optical illusion. Our young painter looks so real you’d swear he was about to hop down and join us for a song.
Why We Chose This Style of Mural
This isn’t just Shoreditch street art for the sake of a photo op. The “Boy Painter” is a nod to the vintage, hand-painted advertisements that used to decorate the gable ends of buildings throughout Ireland.
- The Technique: Look closely and see the incredible detail in the brushwork from the spilled gold paint to the texture of the “brickwork” he’s sitting on.
- The Irish Connection: I wanted this style of Irish pub mural to bridge the gap between the rural traditions of home and the vibrant, modern energy of East London.
- The Placement: Situated right under the Rivington St. sign, it marks our territory as a true home away from home.
Come for the Art, Stay for the Craic
I always wanted my pubs to be more than just a place for a pint. They were sanctuaries for our community to connect with our heritage through music, dance, and storytelling. Our new mural is just the latest chapter in that story.
Once you’ve snapped your photos of our painter friend (don’t forget to tag us!), step inside for a properly poured Murphy’s and some live music. There’s a stool waiting for you.
As I always used to say, the door is always open and the music never stops.
Sláinte,
Nancy
Find Us: 128-130 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AQ.
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