Council to explore lighting up Free Derry Corner at night

by Gareth Cross

Derry’s council is to look into the possibility of lighting up one of city’s most historic landmarks at night.

If approved, the move would see Free Derry Corner illuminated at night.

It comes after Derry City and Strabane Council recently signed off a £40,000 scheme to light up the murals which make up the 'People's Gallery' in the Bogside.

The proposal came at the monthly meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council, held in the Guildhall on Thursday, where Sinn Fein’s Patricia Logue proposed that council examine the possibility.

"Free Derry Wall is a world renowned tourist destination and the murals are in such close proximity that I feel it should be included in that proposal," Cllr Logue said.

The proposal was seconded by Sinn Fein councillor Caoimhe McKnight.

The DUP’s Graham Warke suggested that murals in the Fountain area of Derry should be brought on board as they are ‘very important to the community there’.

Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said council should stick to the original proposal and expressed concerns that the plan could delay the lighting of the murals.

Cllr Donnelly noted that one of the Bogside Artists, William Kelly, had passed away and said it was important the artists contribution was recognised.

Cllr Logue replied saying that it would not be held up as it would be a separate proposal to the lighting of the 'People's Gallery' murals.

Independent unionist councillor Maurice Devenney said there were a number of murals in the Waterside that were important to the 'historical and cultural' identity of the area and suggested a report be brought to council on all murals.

He proposed an amendment to include murals in the Waterside area.

Mayor Maolíosa McHugh asked if the plan was to include all murals in the city, while the SDLP councillor Martin Reilly noted it should include the entire council area.

Sinn Fein councillor Mickey Cooper said that the benefits of lighting Free Derry Corner were revealed in a tourism report produced seven years ago.

He said that lighting up Free Derry Corner and the fountain murals would encourage footfall but that it would be a 'more costly exercise' to light up all the murals.

Independent councillor Paul Gallagher said that the council area was very different from seven years ago and now included Strabane.

He told the meeting that council often talk about increasing tourism in Strabane and the murals there should be included.

Cllr Reilly suggested that a council paper would be produced to identify footfall to murals to determine which ones would benefit from illumination.

DUP councillor David Ramsey said that the Waterside murals could be 'looked at in future' after footfall is increased.

Alderman Ramsey noted that the opening of the new Maritime Museum may help increase footfall.

Cllr Logue withdrew her original suggestion and proposed council produce a document into which murals would be beneficial to light.

The proposal was passed by councillors.