Champion boxer Katie ‘honoured’ with mural
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A TALLAGHT firefighter painted an arresting mural of champion boxer Katie Taylor in the Liberties last week, in recognition of her being “one of the greatest athletes this country has ever produced”.
The Bray boxer is a two-weight world champion and the current undisputed lightweight champion, and this month she took her professional record to 18-0, after beating British boxer Natasha Jonas in a match in Manchester.
Geoff Tracey at the mural of champion boxer Katie Taylor at Peadar Browns bar
The vibrant mural depicting Katie is the work of Geoff Tracey, a firefighter who’s based in Tallaght Fire Station and grew up in Millbrook Lawns.
Some of Geoff’s previous work might be familiar to people in the locality as he painted an electricity box on the Old Bawn Road with a portrait of revered Tallaght character Paddy Drac in 2019.
He’s also the artist behind the ‘Howya Horse’ electricity box at the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project.
It was also a Tallaght connection that led to Geoff painting the Katie Taylor mural, which is located at Peadar Browns pub on Clanbrassil Street.
The owner of Peader Browns, Aidan Brown, grew up in Aylesbury and he worked with Geoff in Ahernes pub many years ago.
When Aidan was in the early stages of planning the mural for his pub, he knew that he wanted it to pay homage to Katie Taylor.
“We were thinking of sticking a mural at the back wall of the pub,” Aidan told The Echo.
“We’ve always supported Katie Taylor in the pub, and I was annoyed that she didn’t seem to be getting much media coverage lately.
“She is a role model and the best one we have in this country – especially for children.”
When looking for an artist to create the mural, Geoff’s name came up, and the two former Aherne’s staff reunited to paint the mural last Friday.
Geoff told The Echo: “It was an opportunity to pay tribute to Katie Taylor. She’s one of the greatest athletes this country has ever produced.”
In order to create the mural, Geoff spent two days hand-cutting stencils for the design of the piece, and then he and Aidan painted the wall on Friday.
“It’s a lovely feeling to be painting in public,” explained Geoff, as people who were passing by during the day could see the progression of the mural.
“Until it’s on the wall, you never really know what a finished piece will look like,” he added.
The mural caught the attention of Katie Taylor, who commented on a photo of the mural that Peader Browns posted on Instagram over the weekend, writing, “I love it! Thanks so much guys, so honoured!”
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