Limerick City and County Council, in collaboration with the inspirational Draw Out, is excited to announce the launch of the Wildlife Walls project.
This initiative aims to enhance Limerick’s impressive portfolio of street art with high-impact, true-to-life depictions of local wildlife. The project is generously funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
The first two murals, set to be completed by the end of 2024, will feature a stunning seed-eating siskin with striking plumage on Clery’s Furniture Clare Street and a fox with its unmistakable russet-red fur, pointed ears, and bushy tail at the corner of Athlunkard Street and Island Road.
Draw Out is a Limerick urban-art initiative that uses creative resources to reinvent urban spaces both visually and functionally.
Work has begun on the new artworks.
A non-statutory public consultation on the Limerick Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030 is inviting participants and can be viewed on MyPoint.
Sinead McDonnell, Biodiversity Officer, Limerick City and County Council, stated,
"The Wildlife Walls project aims to raise awareness of Limerick’s biodiversity. The images of the siskin and fox will animate the public consultation period of the Limerick Draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030, which runs until 7th January 2025."
Catherine O'Halloran, Draw Out, added,
"Draw Out continues to transform the landscape of Limerick City with its wide range of street art. Wildlife Walls is a three-year collaboration that will see further additions in 2025 and 2026."
Background
Biodiversity loss poses a significant challenge, comparable to climate change. Key statistics include:
- 26% of Irish bird species are now on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
- 63% of Irish birds are identified as declining.
- A 50% decline in pollinators since 1980, with two species extinct in the last 80 years.
- Over a 50% decline in Ireland’s and the UK’s native plant species, with native grasslands suffering the largest decline.
- Only 2% of Limerick waters are deemed to have a high ecological status, with 30% good, 32% moderate, and 35% poor.
The Irish Government declared a biodiversity emergency in 2019 and launched the country’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan in 2024.
About the National Biodiversity Officer Programme
Managed by the Heritage Council of Ireland, this programme supports biodiversity initiatives across the country.
About the National Parks and Wildlife Service
The NPWS manages, maintains, and develops state-owned national parks and nature reserves. It promotes awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues through education, outreach to schools, and stakeholder engagement. The NPWS is responsible for implementing Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.