Dublin Wall of Fame

Dublin's wall of Fame was created in 2005 and is billed as being presented by Becky Dunford of Rockarchive gallery Dublin, Dave Allen of Temple Bar Music Centre & John McCormack of Exclusive Blinds. It all sound very grand and is intended as a celebration of Irish music.

So what is it?

Well actually it sounds some what grander than it is and, to add to that, it has also generated quite a bit of debate and argument. In reality it is nothing more than a wall that has 12 sunken windows embedded within it, each containing a photograph of an Irish band or musician – and this is where the debate or disagreement starts.

The idea of the wall (describe by some as a gallery) was intended to showcase significant Irish bands. But what defines significant? Commercial success, an influential sound, a pioneering approach! Furthermore, who should decide on this significance?

This is where there is much disagreement in the selection of photos and, to add to that, the stadium rockers U2 get a giant 20ft x 20ft frame whilst all of the other “seemingly” lesser acts get a mere 6ft x 6ft.

The result is that many fans of home grown traditional Irish music see the wall as unrepresentative, whilst many tourists and visitors to the city have no idea who half of the acts are.

The bands and artists featured include, U2, Luke Kelly, Phil Lynott, Sinéad O'Conner, Bob Geldoff, Christy Moore, Rory Gallagher, Paul Brady, Shane Magowen and Van Morrisson, but this is not to say that other acts may not be added at some future time. The wall was officially opened by Dave Fanning, a long time supporter and promoter of Irish music.

All the pictures are backlit at night and there is a short summary and history of each featured performer on the wall's website (in fact a facebook page). So this will help you out if you are unsure of who some of them are.

Where is it?

You will find Dublin's wall of Fame situated in Dublin's Cultural Quarter, Temple Bar (20 Temple Lane South, Temple Bar, Dublin 2) and, for all the debate, it is an extra little sightseeing stop in this great city.