A PARAMILITARY mural in the heart of the Caw/Nelson Drive area has been replaced by new artwork celebrating the city's rich heritage and history - encapsulated by the former Ebrington base and the Londonderry Guildhall.
Yesterday morning residents gathered to launch the unique new community-inspired mural located on a gable wall in Kinsale Park in the estate.
For decades the wall had served as a canvas for a loyalist paramilitary mural commemorating four Ulster Vol
unteer Force (UVF) volunteers killed over 30 years ago. The UVF shrine was a tribute to the loyalist paramilitaries all of whom died in a premature bomb explosion in Farrenlester, near Coleraine on October 2, 1975.
But the iconic new artwork outlines a different vision for the area. It celebrates the history of Ebrington from its establishment as an army base in 1841, its change of use to a naval base in 1942 when it was headquarters for the Battle of the Atlantic (HMS Ferret) and its subsequent use as an anti-submarine training school when it was known as HMS Sea Eagle (1947-70).
The main image depicts Ebrington and the Guildhall, soon to be physically linked across the River Foyle by the Peace Bridge being constructed by ILEX. A film reel surrounding this image highlights episodes in the history of Ebrington and the city.
And the mural was very much a community-led initiative, designed through workshops with residents, assisted by local artist Marty Edwards and Banbridge artist Bruce White.
Mr Edwards, who has been involved in the painting of many murals throughout the Waterside area of Londonderry and further afield, installed the mural.
Project Co-ordinator of Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group, Linda Watson, said: "I am delighted with the new mural and it just goes to show what collaborative working can do.
"The removal of the former paramilitary memorial mural was a significant move towards change and only came about through open and inclusive dialogue.
"I would like to thank all the residents for taking part in the community workshops and coming up with the ideas which the artists used to create the new design."
Leslie Mitchell, Chairman of the Foyle Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) - a party with links to the UVF - welcomed the transformative artwork as commendable.
"The PUP along with EPIC North Ulster (a loyalist ex-prisoners group) fully support the erection of the new mural in the Caw area," said Mr Mitchell.
"The former mural that existed on that site commemorated the deaths of four UVF volunteers who lost their lives on active service over 30 years ago.
"Their act of patriotism is celebrated and remembered at another site close by. With this in mind local Loyalist activists agreed to have the old mural replaced by a more cultural/historical based piece of community artwork," he added.
"The unveiling of this new mural is one small step by local former combatants on their journey of conflict transformation and I firmly believe it is a pragmatic and commendable gesture. We would like to thank Caw Nelson Drive Action Group for their assistance in making the mural project a reality."
Alice McCartney, Arts & Regeneration Officer, Derry City Council said: "Derry City Council is delighted to have been involved with the Ripple Through the Waves project.
"This is one of 18 initiatives we have supported through the Re-imaging Communities programme with a total investment in the City of £607,875.
"The Caw/Nelson Drive project has highlighted the wealth of history and creativity within the area and I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to come and see this work and to visit other artwork created throughout the City."
Mo Durkan, of ILEX, added: "This mural is a very important 'thumbs up' from the people of Caw/Nelson Drive - a celebration of Ebrington's past and support for its future.
"Over the last couple of years about 1500 people have toured the site and are very supportive of the plans to develop it. People are particularly impressed with the construction of the Peace Bridge which is 100 per cent funded as a Shared Space project under PEACE III.
"The mural brings together all aspects of the Ebrington story, and the Peace Bridge now signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the site and the City."
The Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group is now looking forward to further developing creative regeneration in the Caw/Nelson Drive estate with the re-imaging of three bus shelters in the area.
