Mayo community baffled by mysterious bridge graffiti

LOCALS and passersby in the quiet village of Bofeenaun have been left scratching their heads after an unusual piece of graffiti appeared on the Pollawarla Bridge, spanning the Addergoole River.

In recent days, the words “Kilroy Was Here.” have been neatly painted in bold white lettering on the bridge, located between the village and nearby Lake Levally.

The unexpected message, complete with a full stop, has drawn attention not just for its cryptic nature but for the care taken in its execution.

“It was really well done,” said one local. “I’d say it was done with a bucket of white paint and a brush. The full stop completes it well.”

The phrase sparked curiosity among the community, with many unsure of its meaning. “It appeared overnight,” a local noted.

“I’ve no idea where it came from or what it means. I looked it up and saw it’s something to do with the Americans in World War Two.”

“Kilroy Was Here” is a famous piece of graffiti from the 1940s, popularised by American troops during the Second World War. It became an iconic symbol among service members, often scrawled on walls, equipment, and even enemy territory to mark their presence.

According to the U.S. Naval Institute, the origins of the phrase are credited to James J. Kilroy, an inspector at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Kilroy was tasked with checking the work of riveters, who were paid per rivet installed.

To prevent dishonest workers from erasing chalk marks made by inspectors and claiming extra credit, Kilroy began marking approved sections with a more permanent inscription, “Kilroy was here.”

Due to wartime urgency, these internal marks were rarely painted over, and thousands of troops who later served aboard those ships saw Kilroy’s message, thus helping it spread across the globe.

While the motive behind the Mayo graffiti remains unknown, it has certainly succeeded in sparking interest and conversation.