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All the United Kingdom Northern Ireland Larne Richard Hayward Mural

Richard Hayward Mural

The artwork immortalizes one of 20th-century Ireland's leading creatives.

Larne, Northern Ireland

Added By
Nicholas Davis
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The mural.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
The mural.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Front view of the mural on Main Street.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Information board for the mural.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Richard Hayward, one of Larne’s most famous sons, has been immortalized in a mural on the town's main street. Hayward, although originally born in Southport, England, spent most of his childhood and young adult life in Larne before moving to Belfast for work.

Hayward was an actor, filmmaker, musician, and writer, becoming one of Ireland’s most celebrated creative talents in the 20th century. He was the main actor in many of the first black and white “talkies” made in Ireland during his film career between 1920 and 1958, and was a popular singer who sang in halls and bars across Ireland.

His most famous works include acting in John Wayne’s The Quiet Man, in which his song “The Humour’s On Me” was featured. His song “A Night to Remember” was played in the Titanic film. He also filmed The Luck of the Irish, The Early Bird, and Devil’s Reach in the nearby areas of Glynn Village, Glenarm, and Carnlough.

Hayward also wrote poems, novels, and even 11 travel books about Ireland’s history, folklore, archaeology, and legends, including the book In Praise of Ulster. As such, he helped promote Ireland as a tourism destination.

Sadly, Hayward died in 1964 as a result of a car crash. In May 2013, the Ulster History Circle erected a blue plaque to mark the 40th anniversary of his death at his old house on the Antrim Road in Belfast. A mural in his honor was designed by Portadown artist Eoin McGinn and painted by Belfast artist Dee Craig.

Related Tags

Murals Celebrity Memorials

Know Before You Go

The mural is located on Main Street, right in the heart of the town center.

It is very easy to get to Larne by boat from Scotland at Cairnryan or by train or bus from Belfast. You can also drive following the A8 road to Larne Town or follow the shore road from Belfast through Greenisland, Carrickfergus, and Whitehead.

Community Contributors

Added By

TownTactics

Published

October 24, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/reportage-the-story-of-a-forgotten-irish-legend-30493968.html
  • https://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/new-mural-celebrates-larne-s-famous-son-1-8466538
  • http://ulsterhistorycircle.org.uk/richard-hayward/
  • https://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/richard-hayward-s-star-quality-dazzled-audiences-1-6217478
  • http://www.hidden-gems.eu/belfast%20-%20richard%20hayward.pdf
  • https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/news/street-art-painting-230418
Richard Hayward Mural
17 Main St
Larne, Northern Ireland, BT40 1JQ
United Kingdom
54.851385, -5.820425
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Larne Jaunting Car Sculpture

Larne, Northern Ireland

miles away

Larne Museum and Arts Centre

Larne, Northern Ireland

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Valerie Hobson Mural

Larne, Northern Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Larne

Larne

Northern Ireland

Places 22

Nearby Places

Larne Jaunting Car Sculpture

Larne, Northern Ireland

miles away

Larne Museum and Arts Centre

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Larne, Northern Ireland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Larne

Larne

Northern Ireland

Places 22

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