A stunning new mural designed by young people has been unveiled in Rathmullan.

The mural, called “Time’s Running Out”, was created entirely by volunteers, including contributions from young artists aged 6-16, as well as local artists Emma Grace and Cassie Lyons.

Led by Rathmullan Tidy Towns, the mural project aims to highlight the detrimental effect of single-use plastics on ocean life. One of the constant bugbears for Tidy Towns volunteers is the amount of single-use coffee cups and bottles they pick up on their weekly beach and street clean-ups – which is partly why the mural uses over 8,500 coloured plastic bottle caps as part of the artwork.

‘Time’s Running Out’
Community Art with Rathmullan Tidy Towns

The project took over 400 hours to complete, and is also being used to replace hoarding that had been put up in the village as sewage works were underway.

Abstract impressionist Irish artist Emma Grace said: “It was a great community effort. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone that had helped.

“All the kids got to draw and paint their own little bit with guidance. There is so much wonderful talent within the community.”

Some of the artists and volunteers at the unveiling on Friday!

The information board for the mural also states that “Ireland is way behind the rest of the world in addressing this issue, and emphasising the plague of single use plastics and their detrimental effect on our coasts and marine life”.

The mural was unveiled at a ceremony on Friday afternoon, with the artists, local musicians, as well as volunteers’ family and friends in attendance.

Representatives from Donegal County Council and Murphy Contractors, who are carrying out the sewage works, were also at the unveiling.