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Have a pint in Belfast with your literary and musical heroes

New mural of Irish entertainers upstairs in Kelly's Cellars is drawing the tourists in Picture Mal McCann.
New mural of Irish entertainers upstairs in Kelly's Cellars is drawing the tourists in Picture Mal McCann. New mural of Irish entertainers upstairs in Kelly's Cellars is drawing the tourists in Picture Mal McCann.

IF you pop in for a pint at Belfast's oldest traditional Irish pub on a Saturday night you'll be propping up the bar with a host of Ireland's most famous faces.

Kelly's Cellars, which was built 200 years ago and is tucked away in Bank Street in the city centre, has commissioned a new mural featuring Irish stars of music, theatre and literature.

Previously most famous for being the venue where the local United Irishmen met to plot their 1798 uprising against British rule - with Henry Joy McCracken eventually executed just 300 yards away - it is now honouring the country's artistic heritage.

Located in its upstairs bar, it has Oscar Wilde rubbing shoulders with Shane MacGowan, James Joyce, Seamus Heaney, Phil Lynott, Sinead O'Connor and Samuel Beckett.

Unveiling it at the weekend, Kelly's Cellars said it was celebrating its traditions.

"Kelly's has always been a haven for artists, musicians and writers," it said in a Facebook message.

"Now this fact has been celebrated by this marvellous mural in our upstairs lounge, by the one and only team of Lyonsie Lyons and Michael Doherty."

Barman Patrick Campbell said it has proved a hit with tourists - who frequent the historic pub - and locals alike.

"The upstairs bar is only open on a Saturday now, but people are loving it," he said.

"It's very well done."