The seven “houses” (tower blocks) in the New Lodge are named after figures from Irish mythology: Méabh, Eıthne, Cú Chulaınn, Fınn, Na Fıanna, Gráınne, and Oısín. In the foyer of each house there is a painting of the eponymous hero, painted by Danny D and Marty L in imitation of Jim Fitzpatrick (as is explicitly acknowledged in the Gráınne painting, below): Eıthne is represented by Fitzpatrick’s Palu The Cat Goddess; Na Fıanna are represented by Lugh; Gráınne is represented by Fann. The bulls are by Finbarr O’Connor; Cú Chulaınn is inspired by the Oliver Sheppard statue in the GPO.
For the old names of the buildings, and the pairs of hunger-strikers painted on the tops of six of the seven towers, see New Lodge Flats.
“Fıonn Mac Cumhaıll gained fable knowledge after sucking his thumb which he burned while cooking the magical Salmon of Knowledge. He followed in his father Cumhall’s footsteps becoming captain of the Fıanna. His death at the Battle of Gabhra marked the beginning of the decline in the might of the Fıanna.”
“The Fıanna was the name given to the band of warriors drawn from all over Ireland, under the control of the High King who travelled the country ready to protect it from invaders. The motto of the Fıanna was – Truth in our Hearts, Strength in our Hands, and Consistency in our Tongues.”
“Gráınne, daughter of Cormac Mac Art, High King of Ireland, betrothed to a grey-haired Fıonn Mac Cumhaıll but ran away with the handsome young Dıarmuıd before the marriage took place. She returned to marry Fıonn after Dıarmuıd’s death.”
“Oısín, son of Fıonn Mac Cumhaıll, fought many brave battles with the Fianna. He fell in love with Nıamh and went to live with her in Tír Na nÓg for 3 years. He became homesick and when he returned he discovered that 300 years had passed. He instantly turned in a withered old man and died.”
Click image to enlarge
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