David Speed putting the finishing touches to the mural inspired by Resonance Festival. Photograph by Darren Ryan.
A new mural inspired by the Resonance Lough Derg Festival has been unveiled for the bordering towns of Killaloe and Ballina.
London based street artist David Speed completed the mural depicting The Salmon of Knowledge between rain showers last week.
The completion of the mural starts the countdown for to the next Resonance LoughDerg Festival, a micro-festival of ideas, art, and performance taking place across multiple venues in February 2026.
Speed, known for his signature neon-inspired style, first visited Lough Derg as a keynote speaker at the 2024 iteration of Resonance Festival. Inspired by the warmth of the towns and the festival’s spirit, he returned a year later to gift this extraordinary piece of public art in partnership with Festival organisers, and Draw Out, the Limerick-based urban art initiative.
“Resonance is about sparking ideas and leaving lasting impressions on minds, in conversations, and even on walls” says Steve Coakley, Chairperson of Resonance Lough Derg. “Much like the Salmon of Knowledge, this mural is more than just art; it’s a wellspring of inspiration. And just as the legendary Well of Wisdom gave rise to the River Shannon, festivals like Resonance enrich our communities by helping creativity to flow.”
In its fourth year, Resonance will return to Lough Derg in February 2026, bringing together thinkers, creators, and performers in intimate venues across two counties, with talks and workshops. This year’s festival will be the first to include new film and comedy tracks.
Resonance Lough Derg is a not-for-profit festival run by a small team of volunteers and supporters and is made possible thanks to Tipperary County Council, Clare County Council, Failte Ireland, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the Lakeside Hotel.
