Event | The Irish Nation Art Trail

Created by world renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy, The Irish Nation Art Trail features 17 unique and previously unseen pieces, representing Irish icons of literature, music, sport, and history.

Explore striking images of James Joyce, John F Kennedy, Luke Kelly, Eileen Gray, George Best, Brendan Behan, Seamus Heaney, Constance Markievicz, Morrissey, Sinéad O’Connor, Oscar Wilde, Katie Taylor, Samuel Beckett, Phil Lynott, and Shane MacGowan, as well as an image from the film The Quiet Man, and of Bridget O’Donnel and Children, a well known illustration of Irish famine.

Download your trail map

(Or collect a map from participating venues).

Produced by Irish Mancunian and Wild in Art to celebrate Manchester Irish Festival.

Family Friendly trail, suitable for all ages.

• Drop in activity
• Enjoy kids’ lunch at Open Kitchen including sandwiches, pasta, or pizza from £3.50

About the artist:

Widely regarded as Manchester’s Mosaic Master, Mark Kennedy has been creating work for over 30 years.  He is presently the artist-in-residence for Manchester City Football Club, his work covers several sides of the iconic shopping emporium Afflecks Palace, sits on the walls of many hospitality establishments throughout the city, and hangs over hundreds of fireplaces across the globe.

Anthony H Wilson once said, “Mark Kennedy takes iconic images and finds for them a new life, a new role, a new tangibility in their existence as mosaic.  And the iconic image finds new things to say to us.”

Almost ten years ago, Mark created a piece of his favourite playwright Samuel Beckett.  This wonderful piece of work awakened something within him, reaffirming his deep Irish roots, and over the following years he has added companion pieces which have culminated in The Irish Nation Art Trail.