PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON TARA STREET – MR SCREEN IS NO LONGER THERE

You may not have noticed but many of the painted utility cabinets that I have photographed reference popular Dublin characters and in this instance it is the popular Mr. Screen.

Sadly, Mr Screen on Tara Street has recently been replaced by Michael Collins, who was from Cork rather than Dublin, and that disappointed many locals.

Dublin’s best known cinema usher was located outside the Screen Cinema at Hawkins Street and after many years standing still and ignoring everyone with equal distain he suddenly disappeared. There is a rumour that he was, before Covid-19, employed in the lobby of the Savoy Cinema but according to some reports he has yet to decide if he should return to work in 2021 or seek employment elsewhere.

In case you are confused I should explain that Mr. Screen was an ugly but appealing little bronze statue by Irish artist Vincent Browne. It was very popular with Dubliners and many were really upset when it was removed from public view. Apparently a cinema group has claimed ownership which has been disputed by Dublin City Council who are in talks regarding the relocation of the sculpture.

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