Tattooed and twinkling: Billy the Butcher returns to Limerick streets with modern makeover

BILLY the Butcher, one of Limerick’s most recognisable local figures, has made a triumphant return to his familiar post outside O’Connell's Butchers in the city centre following an impressive artistic makeover.

Revitalised by the talented team at Lumen Street Theatre, the beloved figure now stands proudly restored showcasing a new, modern look. Billy the Butcher's makeover was unveiled on May 24. It is understood Billy was vandalised earlier in May and had a large gash to his torso area that needed to be repaired.

Martin Shannon, the artistic director of Lumen Street Theatre said they were approached by O'Connell's Butchers to repair Billy. As the butchers has changed its uniform in recent years, Mr Shannon and his team had to change the colour scheme of Billy's apron and shirt. They also had to open up Billy's torso and fill it with flexible plywood and then repair it with fiberglass.

“Instead of going with the white shirt, we went with a light blue shirt this time, and then he's got a blue and white apron,” explained Mr Shannon. He gave Billy a tattoo of a pig on his arm showing the different cuts on the animal to acknowledge Limerick's history with the bacon industry. Billy's other arm was decorated with a tattoo of a carving knife.

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“We changed the colour of his shoes and made them brogues... We also gave him a little gold tooth and put a twinkle in his eye.” A video of Billy's new look has been viewed on social media over 6,000 times.