A Nirvana in Shantallow

THE Mayor of Londonderry Colum Eastwood has welcomed the transformation of a local hotspot for anti-community behaviour into a beautiful Shared Community Garden which will provide great benefits to the local community, visitors to the area and local and visiting schools.

He said: "The Nirvana Lands in Shantallow, known locally as the Donkey Field is another successful Reimaging Communities Project which is helping Derry City Council and the local community organisations to transform areas of the City.

"The Donkey Field project is the latest addition to the redevelopment of Council land in the Shantallow area which is being driven by the Shantallow Renewal Team and Shantallow Residents Association and includes; a newly resurfaced Multi Use Games Area and new Play Park, a Ten – Hole Mini Golf Course and a safe green play area which will double as a much needed Junior Grass Football Pitch."

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Cathal Mc Cauley, manager of the Renewal Team and Residents Association explained the process: "Initially, an extensive consultation process was carried out by Ground Work NI, Shantallow Residents Association and the appointed artist and contractor, Kevin Killen.

"Local Primary Schools, The Over 50's Club, The Shantallow Youth Centre and local residents all contributed, and some of their ideas and art work can now be seen on the walls and laser cut panels which surround the 'Garden' area.

"These include images which reflect the history of the area and the City, such as the two Cathedrals, a Shirt Factory worker, images of traditional sport and games such as horse racing, skipping, swinging round a lamp post, and detailed art work which was carried out by local school children. They just have to be seen."

Chairperson of the Renewal Team, Mr Charlie Mc Monagle added: "This project has enabled several inclusive programmes which allowed the young people from schools and Youth groups to be fully involved in the development of a fantastic new outdoor learning area which will not only benefit these pupils but future pupils and the wider community." Much of the painting and planting has been carried out by children and young people from; Ebrington P.S., Bunscoil Cholmcille, Lisnagelvin P.S., Steelstown P.S., St. Pauls P.S., St Brigid's College and the local Youth Centre and the YES Project.

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This project has been made possible by the support of; Arts Council led Reimaging Communities Programme, BBC Breathing Places, Derry City Council, Ground Work NI, NI Housing Executive, Dept. for Social Development.

Commenting on the project Roisn McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Chair of the Shared Communities Consortium, said: "The Reimaging Communities Programme is founded on the belief that the arts make an important contribution to building a positive future for Northern Ireland by helping to create the conditions for a healthy civic society to flourish.

"Working together with local artist Kevin Killen, the residents of Shantallow have come together to create a wonderful new shared space in the heart of their community, transforming the area into a much more welcoming environment for locals and visitors alike."

The Re-imaging Programme is funded by the Shared Communities Consortium, lead by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and comprising OFMDFM, DSD, DCAL, Community Relations Council, PSNI, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority and Chief Executives), The Department of Justice, International Fund for Ireland and NI Housing Executive.