Council consider lighting up Free Derry Corner at night

by Gráinne Connolly

Derry and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) is looking into illuminating the Free Derry Corner at night time. 

This comes after the council recently signed off on a £40,000 scheme to also light up the 'People's Gallery' in the Bogside area. 

http://www.goqradio.com/news/q-radio-local-news/40000-funding-granted-to-light-up-bogside-murals/

The proposal for the Free Derry corner came from Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue at a recent council meeting. 

She said the area was "a world renowned tourist destination", especially with the murals in such close proximity; and that the council should consider the possibility of her motion. 

This was followed by a number of suggestions from other Councillors regarding different areas that may also benefit from being lit up. 

DUP's Graham Warke thought they should also take on board the murals in the Fountain area of Derry-Londonderry, as they are important to people living in that community. 

(Mural in the Waterside area, Derry-Londonderry)

Meanwhile, Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly said they should stick to the original proposal and expressed concerns that the plan could delay the lighting of the murals, although Councillor Logue explained it will be a separate bid from the 'People's Gallery'. 

The lighting of murals in the Waterside and in other areas of the whole district area, including Strabane was then mentioned by others who attended the meeting. 

As a result, Councillor Logue withdrew her original motion and proposed that the council produce a document into which murals would be beneficial to light; which was passed by all councillors.