Wellness in the Laneway Project ArklowCreative Ireland

Arklow Heritage Laneway Project
Community Mural, Sculpture, Ceramics & Local Heritage

Lead Organisation: Arklow Arts Centre

Project Partners:

Arklow Town Team
Creative Ireland, Wicklow County Council
The Gin Mill
Nick Kavanagh’s Pub
Arklow Men’s Shed
Edible Arklow

The Arklow Heritage Laneway Project, led by Arklow Arts Centre, is a community-based creative heritage project bringing together public art, local stories, traditional knowledge and the natural heritage of Arklow.

The project will transform the laneway through a collaborative programme of mural, sculpture, ceramics, planting and community storytelling, creating a distinctive public space that celebrates Arklow’s heritage and its connection to the natural world.
The Community Mural

The central visual element of the project is a mural designed by artist Kotryna Gudaityte.

The mural takes inspiration from local flora and fauna, medicinal herbal plants and the natural environment, creating a contemporary artistic interpretation of the plants and wildlife associated with the area.

The imagery connects with the heritage themes of the project, reflecting the historical relationship between people, plants and place and the traditional knowledge passed through generations.

The mural will provide a strong visual identity for the laneway while introducing local heritage through contemporary public art.

history of Arklow, ensuring that the project is rooted not only in visual heritage but also in the lived experiences of the community.

Local businesses including The Gin Mill and Nick Kavanagh’s Pub will contribute to this process through their connections with Main Street, local people and the history of the area.

Heritage Event

An accompanying Arklow Heritage Laneway Event will bring together the community, artists and project partners to celebrate the completed work.

The event will provide an opportunity to unveil the mural and associated artworks, share the stories collected from the community and explore the heritage themes represented throughout the laneway.

The event will also highlight the contribution of the artists, community organisations and local businesses involved in bringing the project to life.

Project Legacy

The project will create a lasting piece of public art and heritage within Arklow.

By bringing together Kotryna Gudaityte's mural, Derek Larkin's steel sculpture, Caragh O'Connor's ceramics, Sigve Svenkerud's reflection bench, the craftsmanship of Arklow Men’s Shed and the involvement of Edible Arklow, the project combines contemporary artistic practice with local skills, knowledge and community participation.

At its heart, the project is about place, memory, nature and connection — connecting Arklow's natural heritage with its people and stories and bringing those elements into a contemporary public artwork.

The completed laneway will provide a permanent celebration of Arklow's heritage while creating a welcoming space where residents and visitors can walk, pause, reflect and connect with the stories of the town.