Statue moved to new locaton outside St Mary's Chapel in Creggan

A new sculpture has been unveiled in the Creggan area of Derry.

The sculpture depicting five young people dancing in a group has been installed on the roundabout outside St Mary’s Chapel in Creggan.

It is the first phase of the ongoing transformation of the main entrance to the local estate by Creggan Enterprises.

The new sculpture is named ‘Celebrate’.

It was donated to the Creggan community by its creator Maurice Harron and had previously been situated in the Pat Mulkeen Garden at the nearby Ráth Mór Centre for the three years.

Creggan Enterprises spokesperson Conal McFeely said he was delighted with the new home for the sculpture.

“Creggan is a very welcoming place and what greater welcome could you have than a piece of art portraying young people enjoying themselves?” he said.

The ‘Chapel Roundabout’, which had fallen into disrepair and become overgrown in recent years, has been cleared to accommodate its new centerpiece, surrounded by four new flowerbeds planted by young people from the Playtrail’s Hope Project.

The Irish stonewall façade encircling the roundabout is also being cleaned and restored.

In addition to Creggan Enterprises, many local groups, individual families and businesses have contributed to the Eastway restoration project, including the Housing Executive, regeneration partners Aileach Valley Construction, the Playtrail, the McErlean family and Hive Studios.

“I would like to thank all of those who sponsored, helped out in, and promoted the improvement of this location,” said Mr McFeely.

“Many community groups and political organisations have backed this scheme. And all of them are delighted that this wonderful sculpture – a real symbol of joy and hope – now occupies such a prominent place in our neighbourhood.

“The final phase of our work will be the physical re-imaging of the old Eastway Wall which is the primary key structure greeting visitors accessing the gateway to Creggan.

“Again working with local young people, schools and community organisations, this 220m eyesore will be regenerated to create a welcoming feature for the community.”