Pied piper artist leaves trail of rat paintings in town
Cigo the Jack Russell takes more than a passing interest in the rats on the Plaza Hotel in Killarney with his owner Mia
Officials in tourist town Killarney are on the scent of a mystery "rat artist" who has left his -- or her -- mark on over 20 wall and door sites.
The distinctive rats began to appear around three weeks ago.
Down at ground level, small stencilled rats were outlined in white and black chatting together on laneways and doorways.
In recent days, however, the artist has become bolder -- and a large rat in colour has appeared on the side of the Bricin restaurant, and in stark red and white on the side of the white Killarney Plaza hotel.
The tourist office, along with shops, a solicitor's office, and the local courthouse have been included in the artistic trail of the pied pier.
Underneath the jewellery shop Razzle Dazzle, a pair of shopper rats are in deep conversation.
The designs include a rat with a roller and although some have been stencilled, a freer hand is evident in the recent drawings.
Killarney Town Clerk Michael O'Leary said the matter had been brought to his attention by town councillors who pointed out that some business owners are "irate" about the cost to businesses of re-painting.
Gardai in Killarney are aware of the work of the rat artist, but say they have not received complaints.
It is thought the rat artist strikes during the early hours and so far has worked with paint and brushes completely unobserved.
His work has become a huge talking point, and is welcomed by most -- as long as it does not become a plague, according to one local.
- Anne Lucey
