Huge mural of Celtic warrior god Lú completed in Ireland

The tallest mural in Ireland, about 41 metres (135ft) in height, has been painted on the side of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk, Ireland (Irish: Dún Dealgan, Éire).  It depicts the Celtic warrior god Lú. Lú (also known as Lug and Lugh) is one of the most prominent gods in Irish, as well as Scottish and Manx mythology  He has been described as god of arts, warriors, and sovereignty.  He is associated with the Tuatha Dé Danann who are Celtic pre-Christian gods with supernatural ability and were of great importance to Gaelic people.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel, is the tenth tallest building in Ireland. The painting is by internationally renowned Autralian artist Sam Bates. In the painting, Lú holds a blue-coloured sphere in one hand and a sword in the other. At his feet there is a wolfhound. Dundalk is the county town of County Louth (Irish: Contae Lú)  and Lú is the namesake of Co Louth. The name of the month of August in all three Gaelic languages of Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx is also derived from the Celtic god Lú. In Modern Irish August is called Lúnasa, in Scottish Gaelic: Lùnastal, and in Manx: Luanistyn.

Images: Pictures of Lú on Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk courtesy of RTÉ.