Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead is one of the most important traditions in Mexico and it is a key symbol of national identity. Its essence is to honour and remember deceased loved ones in a colourful and creative way. It is believed that on the 1 and 2 November, the souls of the dead can visit the land of living. For that reason, people build altars in their homes in which marigold flowers are believed to guide the spirits to Earth and candles illuminate their path.

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The relationship that Mexicans have with death goes back to pre-Columbian cultures. In the Aztec mythology, the Xoloitzcuintle dog had the duty to protect the soul of his owner through the Mictlán or the underworld.

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In Ireland, according to the legend, Major James Lynch sentenced his own son to death after he confessed to the murder of a Spanish sailor. When no one was able to carry the sentence, Lynch himself hanged his son from the window of his home.

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I chose the Lynch Memorial to incorporate the Mexican festivity into Galway City to honour Lynch´s memory and, with the help of the Xoloitzcuintle dog, guide his soul through the dangers of the underworld.