‘Now I open the window and see all this colour’ – Children help transform drab Dublin railway arches into vibrant outdoor gallery
Seventeen children from the area took part in the project, which reimagines the arches beneath the railway line as a visual garden inspired by the colours, shapes and movement of nature.
Developed through a series of workshops, the children’s ideas and sketches became the creative foundation for a new mural now brightening the laneway.
The initiative grew from a local campaign led by resident Belinda Walsh, who reached out to Iarnród Éireann and Dublin City Council to explore ways of enhancing the space for families and neighbours.
To spark inspiration, the children visited the National Botanic Gardens and Mud Island Community Garden, where they immersed themselves in the colours and textures of the natural world.
Pictured at the unveiling was Amber Browne, one of the participating children. Pic: Marc O’Sullivan
Amber Browne (9) said she loved seeing “all the nice flowers” at the gardens.
“I saw some different flowers some I don’t remember the name of,” she said.
“Some have a shell, but they are all in the water. There’s two in the water. So we got to take pictures of them too, and we got to take pictures of loads of the beautiful flowers. I like the white flower down at the end.”
Amber’s own design made it onto the wall. “I did do a drawing when we went to Botanic Gardens,” she said.
“I did a drawing of a flower with a rainbow over the top of it that’s on the wall.
“It’s not brown and black anymore— I prefer it now. I love it. I think they [the neighbours] all think it’s beautiful when we wake up because when we used to all wake up and we used to only see blank… but now we see our colourful chains, so it’s not all dirty anymore.”
Pictured at the unveiling was Winter Furlong, one of the participating children. Pic: Marc O’Sullivan
Winter Furlong (5) also took part saying that a visit to the Botanic Gardens was one of her favourite parts of being involved in the “very fun” project.
“I saw loads of flowers and my mammy let me take pictures on her phone of the flowers,” she said.
“When I used to look out my window I always saw a blank wall – I like seeing outside and my mammy lets me open the window for fresh air and now I see all this colour.”
Artist Artur Oner said the children’s ideas shaped the entire vision.
“The children’s ideas led the vision from the very beginning,” he said.
“They shared what colours and flowers reminded them of home, and we turned those ideas into a design that’s full of energy, movement, and life.
“The space is now theirs, a reflection of their imagination and their community,” he added.
Local resident Belinda Walsh added: “This project brought our community closer together. The children feel a real sense of ownership and pride in what they’ve achieved, and it’s wonderful to see neighbours stopping to chat and enjoy the space.”
The railway company also donated planter boxes to residents, adding fresh greenery to complement the mural.
Future community workshops on planting, sustainability and biodiversity are now being planned.
