Michael Moynihan: Civic pride, civic paint – how street art can keep culture alive

The effect of so much public art is uplifting and enlivening for the city as a whole; they’re accessible and relatable for the vast majority of people going about their daily lives, writes Michael Moynihan

Artist Garreth Joyce working on his mural on Liberty Street in Cork City centre as part of the Ardú Street Art initiative. Picture: Clare Keogh 

Civic pride is a slippery beast. In Cork, it’s a default position but also difficult to nail down, because its expression can range around the spectrum of acceptability.

An expat pal of mine in Dublin has a particular loathing for the performative Leesider in the capital, hyper-exaggerating his Corkness for effect, and having seen some crass samples of the genre I can only agree.