The unique murals ofThe Bogside Artists®  of Derry, Northern Ireland  
             

"I am amazed at the outstanding quality of this artwork." Nobel Laureate and Statesman John Hume.

"The work of the Bogside Artists is remarkable ... a vibrant response to events still vivid in the psyche of the community."Brian Friel, world-renowned playwright and author.

"The marvellous work of the artists has enhanced the historic and artistic appeal of the area and contributes to the growing sense of pride which Derry people hold for the role they have played in the events that reverberated around the world three decades ago." Councillor Mary Nelis.

"I find myself responding to the overpowering message of the murals: Here is our story." Prof. Peter Sheehan, Provost of The Australian Catholic University Sydney, Australia.

“The Bogside murals are the most popular murals in Northern Ireland, and the most prominent political murals in the world.” www.ukattraction.com.

“I keep the mural of Annette as the background on my computer, as well as a picture hung next to my bed. Though all of the murals inspire me in some way, the piercing message and story of Annette, the butterfly and the broken gun is one I think of each day, and relate deeply with my experience in Northern Ireland.” Madeleine Ehrlich - student, San Francisco Ca.

"The work provides a window into the heart of the Bogside and for that we must be truly grateful to the three artists." Prof. Raymond Helmick, of Boston College, world-renowned teacher, author and peace negotiator.

"In my five years in the building I have never seen so many people so excited by an art exhibition. We actually had senators and representatives asking to have the duration of the exhibition extended." Senator Steven Tolman, host of The Bogside Artists exhibition in the BOSTON STATE HOUSE, MA, USA.

There are many tours in Derry but only one original tour of the famous murals of The Bogside Artists.

Tom Kelly, his brother William, and Kevin Hasson are the three men who created and painted all of the twelve murals that form the internationally acclaimed 

                          The People's Gallery®                     

Their artwork represents the Bogside, its history, its spirit and its people; and many thousands of people come to Derry each year to hear the history of the 'troubles' and to see the celebrated street of murals in the Bogside. Painted from photographic material these are the most authentic renditions possible of the events depicted and acclaimed by many critics and writers as "art of the highest order".

The murals of The People's Gallery stretch in a line the entire length of Rossville Street in the Bogside area of Derry that experienced the worst of the troubles throughout the long conflict. Their unique gallery of murals was envisioned and created by the three men universally acclaimed as The Bogside Artists. As their spokesman Tom explains; "A  wound must be cleaned out and examined before it will heal. It is the unexamined wound that festers and finally poisons. Our work shows the wounds." (words from Bishop Desmond Tutu)

This determination to tell their own story is what drives Tom, Kevin and William.

They bear living witness to a prolonged period of social conflict that will be remembered always.  

Tom and Kevin with some of the residents on whose houses, with their permission of course, the artists painted their famous murals known as The People's Gallery.

                                    The "tour" link above will take you to the unique The People's Gallery Murals Tour. We are pleased to announce that new projection equipment has been installed in the studio making the presentation of the murals, their construction and their history even more unique than ever.  

.....Don't forget, you can purchase all sorts of things from high-class posters and t-shirts etc, all uniquely designed by the artists, as well as the original book on their work right here. Signed or unsigned, the choice is yours!

To contact the studio simply phone; (028) 71373842.

You do not have to buy anything from our shop to be able to help us. Having taken on our new premises we struggle daily to meet the overheads. We survive entirely by our tours and sales of our posters and, contrary to what many visitors assume, we are in nobody's employ, and are certainly not salaried workers despite the varied community services we provide. Also, we do not receive help with the upkeep of our murals from local council or any other source. This shameful state of affairs is politically determined and dealt with, in depth, in our book The People's Gallery. Your donations to our charity, however little, are therefore more helpful than you can imagine. Thank you!

                     

This site is of special interest to students of fine art, public art and history; to those intending to visit Ireland, or to anyone interested in Irish affairs in general or the work of The Bogside Artists in particular. Much of the information is in PDF format and printable. More about the tour HERE.

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