JennyOwen

By JennyOwen

Murals in Derry

We drove up from Fermanagh via the hillfort at Grianan of Aileach. This is thought to date back to the 6th or 7th century, although there has been a degree of 'restoration' since then. It was a stunning sight, with equally stunning views out over Donegal (a glimpse in the extra, with Richard for scale).
After that, it was a hot and busy few hours, locating murals to photograph for ArtUK  Richard drove us between the various clusters that I'd identified in advance from an excellent Northern Irish online list of murals. We knew it could only be about building up a sample from the hundreds of options available; to create a comprehensive record would take days, if not weeks. 
I was particularly pleased to find one that dates back to 1981, as well as a good mix of other images. 
The main gives an impression of the layers to be found in the Catholic Bogside area, near the Museum of Free Derry. In the forefront, an image of feminist, civil rights campaigner and writer Nell McCafferty  At an angle to it, one of the many murals reflecting Republican solidarity with Palestine.  Away in the background, a mural referring to the Troubles.
Tomorrow morning we'll continue with this, before driving over to Larne. Tomorrow's sites will be in predominantly Protestant/Unionist neighbourhoods, rather than the Catholic/Republican ones that we visited today.
Meanwhile, a meal out and an early night, I think... 

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