b'/ writer historian Barney Phairthe founder of The Icon Walkto UNESCOA Journey from UnsightlyI believed from the beginning that art could civilizeit up both literally and figura-When tourists come to Dublin, many make their way to the this corner. We cleanedthatbustling Temple Bar area. The main thoroughfare of Fleet tively, says Barney. The Ireland Funds believed Streetischockfullofshops,hotelsandrestaurants.too and they were the very first funds we ever received.previously- ictculturaliconsasBut pedestrian traffic is beingdrawn down.heIconNow,enormouspanelsdep andthePogues.avoidedalleywaysparallelto FleetStreet T diverseasJamesJoyce,OscarWilde, Factory, an artists cooperative run entirely by volunteers, Because over thirty artists were involved in the creation ofthose alleyways of Aston Place, Bedford Lane Walk, the artistic styles are as diverse as theyhas turnedTheIconWalk,aart The Iconportray. The Icon Factory also has a smallandPricesLaneintopermanentcharacters theyhome images of Thecelebrates iconic figures of Irish music, visitors can take installation thatstorefront whereoft-shirts,coastersandotherart, sport and culture.artistic IconWalkintheformplacecourseofafewshortyears,theThe storefront is an informal gathering Overtheis mementos. oftheseonce-neglectedsidestreetsandtheirsupporterstransformationA cultural history of Ireland forartistsserve sagallerychanging the neighborhood.alleys. Although the andalsosacanbe seen on the walls of theseWalk whereartistscandisplay nowstruggles financially, The Iconworkforfree.Now,small organizationUNESCO (the theirhas received the coveted endorsement byndCultural tourists, school children andNationsEducational,Scientifica for college groups can turn offUnitedp site theOrganization)forbeinganim ortantFleet Street to look up at theof Irish literary talent and culture.storiesofIre-celebrationfacesand lands cultural treasures.James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and the PoguesOther cities are lookingItwaswriter/historianBarneyPhairwhohadavisionto replicate Icon Walksfor this gritty area. He believed that art was the key to oftheirownandchanging the landscape and educating both tourists and Dublin can be proudDubliners alike. It is his insightful and often humorous ofthisnewculturalcommentary that now hangs alongside the 70+ works of highlight supportedgrouped in categories ranging from The Playwrights byTheIreland Artist Aga SzotartThe Wall of Irishto Great Moments in Irish Rock andFunds.Sport. Barney is passionate as he speaks of the art he andothers have worked so hard to establish and maintain.'