Continuing the theme of Northern Ireland murals, I move north west to Londonderry - or Derry as it’s more affectionally known.
Derry corner - overlooked by the old city walls.
Using Beech Hill Country House Hotel as a base, I explore Derry and her murals.
Beech Hill Country House Hotel.
Beech Hill House USMC memorial.
USMC historical room within hotel.
I’m partiucularly keen to visit a series of outdoor murals called the People's Gallery, which is located in the Bogside area of Derry. These murals depict the events surrounding sectarian violence and civil rights protests in Northern Ireland during the troubles.
Bogside from the Derry walls.
Derry corner.
The People’s Gallery are the work of the The Bogside Artists, a trio of mural painters from Derry, consisting of Tom Kelly, his brother William Kelly and Kevin Hasson.
The Bogside Artists first began working together in 1993 to document the events surrounding the Northern Ireland Troubles. With supplies donated from local residents, they painted several murals on the walls of Rossville Street buildings commemorating the Battle of Bogside and Bloody Sunday.
From 1994 to 2008, they painted a total of twelve murals, which they named the People's Gallery. The People's Gallery spans the entire length of Rossville Street, which runs through the center of the Bogside.
It was in this area on 30 January 1972 that 13 civilians were killed by British paratroopers in the Bloody Sunday disturbances.
Bloody Sunday memorial.
The murals were officially inaguarated in August 2007. The Bogside Artists have exhibited their work in various places, including Boston and Washington, D.C. They have painted a number of other works, most notably a mural of Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington D.C.
In addition to their work as muralists, the Bogside Artists also conduct art workshops with local Catholic and Protestant children in order to promote cross-community understanding.
Battle of the Bogside
Bloody Sunday
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