Limerick village takes a trip back in time with beautiful mural
OOLA Tidy Towns ensures the village is looking picture perfect in more ways than one.
The committee commissioned mural artist Neil O’Dwyer to brighten up Main Street. And, best of all, you don’t have to buy a ticket to go on a trip down memory lane thanks to Neil’s handiwork.
“The whole idea is to reflect the connection that the area and the village has with the railway. The sound of the train is a familiar background sound to the local community.
“So many families down through the years would have worked on the rail and nearby Limerick Junction,” said Neil, who spent a week working on his creation on the side of the former O’Sullivan’s shop.
Neil said the children featured waving at the steam train reflects the proximity of the local people to the railway and the fact it goes right through the village.
Oola Castle, in the top left hand corner, is a local landmark, while the cows and milk churns reflect the local farming community.
“People love the image of the steam train. I love working in villages and small towns and telling something about their local history and community,” said Neil, who is no stranger to Oola.
He is also been behind the mural at O'Donovan's Londis a couple of years ago of four local All-Ireland winning hurlers - Darragh O'Donovan, Pat Ryan ‘Simon’, Richie English, and Barry Murphy.
“Being from Tipperary I got a lot of slagging over that,” laughed Neil.
Both murals have been very warmly received with the steam engine bringing back many fond memories for locals. You can't miss it as you're driving through Oola in the Tipperary direction.
It is well worth a stop.