Cross-Community Artwork Unveiled in Dundonald

October 30, 2017

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in partnership with the PSNI officially opened the cross-community artwork project ‘The Normans and their Legacy in Ireland’, which was undertaken by local schoolchildren earlier this year.

The collage of artwork is on street art panels positioned on the wall of the Dundonald Police Station within the grounds of Moat Park.

The Mayor, Councillor Tim Morrow, speaking about the project, said: “I had the pleasure of meeting some of the schoolchildren involved in the project and they were very enthusiastic and enjoyed creating their mosaics and tapestries.  I hope they are very pleased with the replicas of their artworks that have been created and installed in Moat Park.”

A number of schools in the Lisburn Castlereagh area were invited to take part in this project.  Those primary schools and youth groups that participated in this cross-community project were: Cairnshill; St Joseph’s Lisburn; Carryduff; Moneyreagh and St Joseph’s Carryduff; Lisburn Youth Centre and 29th Belfast Scouts.

Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee added: “Our young people have portrayed the Norman heritage to a high standard in these artworks which have added colour and culture to the popular Moat Park.  The cross-community partnership working on this project was excellent and our young people embraced the opportunity to learn about their cultural heritage in a positive manner.  It is very important that all cultures are understood from the Normans through to today’s cultures.”

The Council would like to run a second art initiative and hopes local schools and groups will get involved to add some more colour and culture to this art wall.

Superintendent Sean Wright, Commander of Lisburn and Castlereagh PSNI District, concluded: “There is a strong partnership between the Council, the PSNI and local schools and I am delighted that this latest project is fitted to the walls of Dundonald Police Station.  Within the Lisburn Castlereagh area there is strong cross-community partnership working, which we all wish to see continue.”