Lonely hearts ad prank in Finglas

MYSTERY surrounds this bizarre

‘lonely hearts’ billboard that’s popped up in Finglas.

The eye-catching sign, which is plastered on hoarding at the junction of Finglas Road and Old Finglas Road, seeks a female companion for a desperate 32-year-old man who doesn’t want to spend 2013 alone.

The novel and attention-grabbing advert reads like the familiar

‘lonely hearts’ adverts, which are common-place in the classified section of newspapers.

The 5’8

? male pitches himself as quite the all-rounder –

“enjoys theatre, classical music, walks on the beach, politics and candlelit dinners

? and insists that all offers will be considered.

But alas the eligible bachelor is playing hard to get as a call to the mobile number provided only gets you to Tom’s voicemail. And don’t be surprised if he never returns your call.

Northside People has learned that the ad is part of a national spoof campaign spearheaded by an unknown group (or person) going by the name of TUD Street Art.

TUD Street Art was also behind a mysterious billboard that appeared in Kerry last year.

Two billboards were erected on a pillar in Tralee last April, one which read

“Honk if you love the Kingdom

? while on the other side the billboard read

“Honk if you secretly wear women’s lingerie

?.

Another sign, which made headlines in recent months was erected in Dublin and in Leeds in England. The fake and controversial sign read

“Golf is a passport for a dirty weekend away with the lads

?¦wake up girls

?¦naïve wife

?.

All signs contain the word TUD. A website set up by the group contains sparse information about TUD Street Art and the initiative other than the pledge:

“I do solemnly swear to fulfil my new years resolution, to cause divilment, general mayhem, be the thorn in the side and foam pie in the face of all those deserving. Let the fun begin.

?

TUD was also responsible for a fake WWII mine placed in the water in Grand Canal Dock to promote the Galway Arts Festival and a sign erected on road-side fencing which read

“Ann. Will you marry me? Love Paul xxx PS. Keep your eyes on the road

?.

It’s believed that the letter TUD stands for The Ugly Duckling.

A Facebook page set up by the group has less than 200 fans and contains a collection of albums of TUD billboards and signs. Similar TUD signs have appeared across the UK.

The work and the anonymity of the street art is akin to the work of pseudonymous English-based graffiti artist, Banksy, whose political and satirical street art is world-famous.