Fin-tastic Finale: Popular Belfast mural Shows Sharks Circling Sunak

The final instalment in a series of satirical murals following the drama at the centre of the Conservative party leadership contest has been unveiled in Belfast.

 In mid-August, a mural depicting Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss battling it out in a boxing ring for the role of British Prime Minister, appeared outside the Friend at Hand whiskey shop on Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Tapping into the zeitgeist of the conversative leadership contest, the satirical mural was a viral hit overnight, hitting headlines around the world.

Since then, several new iterations of the mural have popped up, with some of the humorous artworks effectively predicting happenings inside Number 10.

An updated version of the Belfast mural called the contest for Truss early, showing a battered Sunak down but not quite out. And just last week, days before the embattled PM stepped down, a new mural appeared, with Rishi Sunak clamouring back into the boxing ring, sporting a Terminator style eye and the words ‘I’ll be Back.’

Now, the final instalment in the series, depicts Sunak aboard a dinghy named R.M.S Titanic, clinging on for dear life in shark-infested waters, whilst Boris Johnson and Penny Mordaunt prepare to jump overboard. The fins of five sharks represent some of the many challenges the new PM faces: the NHS, Putin, energy costs, strikes and the NI Protocol.

Commissioned by Belfast publican, Willie Jack, (The Duke of York, The Harp Bar, The Dark Horse, and The Friend at Hand), the series of murals have been painted by local artist Ciaran Gallagher. This will be the last mural in the series, as The Friend at Hand plans to expand into the adjoining building in November.

Commenting on the final mural, Willie Jack said: “We have a long history of murals in Belfast, and are well-known for our satirical take on things. Ciaran’s series of murals tapped into the drama and power struggles at the heart of Downing Street in recent months, and provided a little light relief at a time when there has not been much to laugh about.

“We predicted the Truss win but always said Rishi was down but not out. This final scene feels like an apt place to call it a day; capturing the challenges that face the new PM as he tries to hold on to what looks like a sinking ship, but more importantly, the issues that people here need effective leadership on, both at Westminster and at Stormont.

“We are considering putting the series on display as part of an exhibition at some point, though I hear the Sunaks might be looking to make some updates to the décor in Number 10… who knows where they could end up.”