Derry City and Strabane District Council has agreed to explore the possibiliy of lighting up 12 murals in the Bogside.
The discussion was part of the council’s Business and Culture Committee meeting this week.
The 12 murals form the so-called ‘Peoples’ Gallery’ in the Bogside and had been fully restored recently following joint funding from the council and the Housing Executive.
The council had previously met with the Bogside Artists and discussed a number of options for funding for lights around the murals.
An application to Urban Villages is still active and remains a possibility for funding.
A proposal for the murals to be considered part of a Lighting Strategy Phase II application to Tourism NI has been considered but could take up to two years from application to installation.
Am initial approach was made to the Department of Social Development (now Department for Communities) but they believed the scheme did not fit within department expenditure proposals.
If council were to provide funding for the project it would have to be classed as revenue funding.
The Housing Executive are willing to share costs for the project equally.
Council officers reccomended at this week’s meeting that members ‘continue to work with the artists to explore all avenues of potential funding including Urban Villages.
In addition, officers would seek approval to revisit the original costing and revise these jointly with the Housing Executive.
In this way, if other avenues of funding are exhausted and cannot fund the project, members will be in a position to consider funding the project directly in conjunction with the Housing Executive.’
SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney said he had no problem supporting the reccomendation and proposed the motion.
“The Bogside murals are world renowned and people come from all over to see them and hear the stories of that period in our history,” he said.
“It could serve as a free open air art gallery and as someone who grew up in the area I think it’s a very very good idea.”
Sinn Fein Councillor Patricia Logue said that council should help the Bogside artists explore other funding avenues.
“It’s important as a tourist attraction and for heritage, it could serve as another attraction and give greater securitey to the Bogside residents. I would encourage council to find the money from elsewhere.”
Independent Councillor Darren O’Reilly said he would second Cllr Tierney’s proposal and raised the issue of potentially lighting Free Derry Corner.
“The murals are a valuable assest and add another dynamic for tourism.
“I also grew up in the area and it’s good for the safety of residents. It was mentioned to me that we should explore the possibility of lighting Free Derry Corner as it is painted for different causes like cancer etc. at different times of the year and it takes a lot of man power to paint it.
“It may be possible to use lights and gel sheets for different events throughout the year.”
DUP Councillor David Ramsey said that a group from the Waterside and Fountain areas would soon be approaching council regarding murals there.
“There is an issue with a number of murals in the Waterside and Fountain areas that have faded away.
“A funding group will be coming forward to council looking for support, it would be good for council to support murals around the Siege of Derry as we try to bring the Waterside into the tourist trail.
“A maritime museum is planned and we have Eglinton but it would be a good idea to get all the murals in the city up to scratch going forward.”
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