Island Road in Limerick is now home to the latest additions to the Limerick Wildlife Walls project.
Two striking murals - the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Crú-ialtóg bheag) and the Green Hairstreak Butterfly (Stiallach Uaine) - have been completed in recent days. These artworks join a growing trail of biodiversity murals, including Grove Island’s dragonflies, the fox on Athlunkard Street, and the siskin on Thomas Street, transforming the cityscape into a celebration of nature.
The Wildlife Walls project is a collaboration between Limerick City and County Council and DrawOut, Limerick urban-art initiative, that uses creative resources to reinvent urban spaces, with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Its aim is simple: to raise awareness of local wildlife and the critical role it plays in healthy ecosystems.
The Lesser Horseshoe Bat is one of Ireland’s most distinctive and rare mammals, found only in six western counties, including Limerick. Its survival depends on old buildings, caves, and healthy woodlands.
The Green Hairstreak Butterfly, with its metallic green underside, is another specialist species under pressure from habitat loss. It thrives in scrubby areas dominated by gorse and bilberry, often overlooked in modern landscapes.
Sinead McDonnell, Biodiversity Officer, Limerick City and County Council commented:
“Draw Out’s artist in residence, Louise Keely, has done incredible work. Through these artworks, the overlooked species seem to watch over our streets, urging us to protect their world. Every image tells a story about the balance of nature in Limerick. The green hairstreak, for example, may be small and elusive, but it’s a vital indicator of healthy bogs and hedgerows. Protecting these spaces benefits countless other species too.”
Dr. Áine Lynch, Regional Manager for North Tipperary/Limerick with NPWS, said:
"Society as a collective relies on nature to provide the ecosystem services we need to live - clean water, clean air, pollinators for our crops, flood alleviation, pest control, mental health and well-being. These murals illustrate beautifully how wonderful nature is in Ireland. We are part of nature, and we need to do more to take care of it."
Catherine O’Halloran, Draw Out, added:
“Art has the power to stop people in their tracks. By placing these incredible creatures on our walls, we’re inviting everyone to look closer, learn, and care. It’s about making biodiversity visible in the heart of the city.”
The new murals are located at No. 40 Island Road, a building locally known as Spratts or Island Stores. Plans are in place to enhance the front façade in the near future, ensuring the murals are displayed on the best possible canvas.
The Wildlife Walls initiative reflects a growing global trend of using street art to connect communities with nature. By bringing these species into the public eye through art, Limerick City and County Council hope to inspire pride and action to protect these habitats.
Learn more about Limerick’s biodiversity at www.limerick.ie/biodiversity.
