The whale that made a splash: Lloyd’s Magnificent Mural
A giant white whale, crashing waves, swirling seas and a familiar Hollywood face. In September 2026, a corner of Fishguard was transformed into something rather extraordinary.
As part of Ar Ymyl y Tir / On Land’s Edge 2026, and thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, local street artist Lloyd the Graffiti was commissioned to create a spectacular mural celebrating the 70th anniversary of the release of John Huston’s Moby Dick, much of which was filmed in and around Fishguard and Goodwick in 1954.
And what a magnificent addition to the town it has become.
Taking pride of place at the junction of West Street and Brodog Terrace, the mural brings together the great white whale, the stormy seas, the sailing ship Pequod and Gregory Peck’s unforgettable Captain Ahab in a striking celebration of Fishguard’s extraordinary connection with Hollywood.
Over the course of its creation, residents and visitors watched as Lloyd transformed an ordinary wall into a remarkable piece of public art. From the first outlines to the final flourishes, the mural gradually came to life, attracting admiration, photographs and plenty of conversation along the way.
But perhaps the most wonderful thing about Lloyd’s creation is what it represents.
Seventy years after Moby Dick first appeared on cinema screens, the people of Fishguard and Goodwick have another permanent reminder of the extraordinary summer when Hollywood came to Pembrokeshire.
And, judging by the reaction, the town has taken its new whale very much to heart.
A Town Full of Admiration
When Lloyd shared photographs of the finished mural on social media, the response was overwhelming, with more than a thousand reactions and a wonderful collection of comments from people near and far.
Here are just a few of the messages that captured the affection, admiration and memories inspired by his work:
Lyndon Rufus Winters
“I love the art all over Fishguard”
Adrian Isaac
“What an amazing piece of art history for the town.”
Jen Burton
“It’s absolutely stunning. I admired it this week when walking back to Goodwick.”
Non MacLellan
“My granddad was apparently a stunt double in that film. (Believable as he lived in Fishguard and was a sailor by trade)”
Julie Rose
“What an amazing mural that is. !!”
Ann Davies
“Defo on my to do list next time in The Shire x”
Tracey Jones
“Drove past this the other day. Stunning Awesome talent you have ✨✨✨✨✨”
Ginge Davies
“Love this do much and its my all time fav film”
These comments speak volumes. From those who remember the film’s local connections to people discovering the artwork for the first time, Lloyd’s mural has become a source of genuine community pride.
Making Headlines
The mural also attracted attention beyond Fishguard, with regional and national media celebrating the artwork and its connection to the town’s cinematic heritage.
Western Telegraph
Giant Moby Dick mural unveiled on Fishguard street corner
Nation.Cymru
New mural celebrates Welsh town’s Hollywood connection 70 years on
Tenby Observer
Moby Dick-inspired street art transforms Fishguard ahead of festival
A Lasting Legacy
One of the ambitions of On Land’s Edge 2026 was to celebrate Fishguard and Goodwick’s remarkable history in ways that would continue to inspire people long after the festival had ended.
Lloyd’s magnificent mural does exactly that.
It connects generations, celebrates local creativity, brings a little Hollywood magic to an everyday street corner and ensures that the story of Moby Dick remains part of the town’s living heritage.
A huge thank you to Lloyd the Graffiti for creating something so special, and to everyone who has shared photographs, memories and messages of appreciation.
The whale has returned to Fishguard. And this time, it’s here to stay.
The mural was commissioned as part of Ar Ymyl y Tir / On Land’s Edge 2026, with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.