Community artwork replaces loyalist mural in Cullybackey

A NEW community artwork has been unveiled in Cullybackey this week, replacing a paramilitary mural in the village.

Under the Re-Imaging project, which is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. through the Shared Communities Consortium, artist Ray Henshaw worked with Cullybackey Improvement Association on the £13,896 scheme.

A number of groups were involved in workshops including Buick Primary School, Cunningham Presbyterian Church Scout Group, Cullybackey Maine Defenders Flute Band, Cullybackey Senior Citizens, Tobar Park Fold and members of the wider community. The PSNI Ballymena and Ballymena Borough Council also supported this project.

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The project has seen the removal of a paramilitary mural in Tobar Park and the provision of a new community photographic mural at the junction of Main Street and Shellinghill Road.

Old and new photographs have been used in the mural, alongside poetry, quotes and text. A bank of old photographs donated to Cullybackey Improvement Association were used as a starting point for this mural with many other photographs from local residents also being used.

The mural is a reflection of life past and present in Cullybackey and reflects landmarks, industry, social activities and famous faces from the area.

Ruth Orr, Cullybackey Improvement Association, commented: “The project has brought the community together to focus on looking at the shared history of Cullybackey, past and present. The mural is a celebration of life in our village and will serve as a point of interest to both residents and visitors alike.”

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Sylvia Gordon, Director of Groundwork NI, added: “The culmination of the unveiling of this artwork today, reflects a positive change for the residents of Cullybackey. Local community groups and individuals were involved with the whole process through helping to devise the initial concept through to the final design.

“By reflecting on the past and looking at life today local residents have been able to celebrate a shared past which is represented this new community mural. Everyone involved should be proud of this achievement.”

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Chair of the Shared Communities Consortium, said: “The Re-imaging communities programme is committed to building a shared future for Northern Ireland that is founded on partnership, equality and mutual respect.

“The completion of this artwork in Cullybackey is the result of the community’s joint efforts. Working together with artist Ray Henshaw they have created a new public artwork which has enriched the environment and provided an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to work together towards one common objective.”

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Alderman William McNeilly, Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, added: “I sincerely hope the new mural continues to bring the Cullybackey community together by focusing on their shared history both past and present. The new mural celebrates village life and will serve as an interesting landmark for local people and visitors alike for many years to come.”

The Re-imaging Communities Programme is funded through the Shared Communities Consortium, led by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and includes the partners OFMDFM, DSD, DCAL, Community Relations Council, PSNI, SOLACE (Society of Local Authority and Chief Executives), Department of Justice, International Fund for Ireland and NIHE