Hound of Ulster disappears

Rodney O'Neill, owner of the Arcade Bar on Main Street, says planning chiefs should have consulted him after discovering the new library block would completely obscure the C Chulainn hurler mural on the wall of the town centre bar. The publican criticised the Western Education and Library Board after building work commenced on the town centre library seven months ago, gradually fazing out the twenty foot Kevin Lynch hurler mural. Commuters and residents got one last glimpse of the colourful painting last week before the popular piece of art was overshadowed by the new 832,700 build.

"Nobody notified us that the mural was going to be permanently obscured." Mr O'Neill told the Sentinel, "We were never approached by anyone from the library board, the council or the planning service to tell us the impact this new facility would have on the visual quality of the mural."

"It's very sad that something that has been part of the town for so long is now gone without notice. I only realised when construction work was being started that the C Chulainn painting would be covered I contacted the education and library board but they just told me there was nothing that could be done."

A larger than life C Chulainn, who bore the Kevin Lynch club kit, has appeared along with the hurling club's crest on the gable wall of the Dungiven pub for the last five years. Mr O'Neill, who is also the chairman of Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club, says the town has lost a little bit of identity along with the piece of community art.

Mr O'Neill continued; "It really was eye-catching and popular with tourists that maybe wouldn't have stopped in the town without seeing it. A lot of punters commented on it and I know local people have noticed already it's gone. Without a doubt I am unhappy. Someone should have taken the mural into consideration when they were planning to build the library and consultation should have taken place."

Michael Coyle, SDLP Councillor for the area says the C Chulainn mural will be sorely missed.

"Over the last number of years the entire Main Street area has changed. Walking down the street compared to fifteen years ago is a completely different experience. I know that a lot of people will miss the mural as it was a piece of public art."

"I suppose at the time of the planning no one really thought about the mural being obscured. It fitted in with the community and represented it's love of sport."

Councillor Coyle continued; "The library however will be a great facility for the town and I know a lot of people who miss the mural are also glad to see the new building coming to the town."

Due to open in late summer, Dungiven's new library will feature a children's play area, cafe, computer area and gallery. Commenting on the impact on the C Chulainn mural, a Western Education and Library Board spokesperson told the Sentinel that the building was in accordance with planning approval.

They stated: "The WELB on behalf of Libraries NI, is progressing with the development to provide Dungiven town and surrounding area with a new state-of-the-art Library building costing 832,700. The new Dungiven Library is being progressed in accordance with planning approval received on 12 September 2007.

"It is expected that the new Library will be completed in September 2010, after which the public will have a facility which will provide not only a library service but community facility for Dungiven town and surrounding area. Following the completion of the new Library, the wall in question will be completely obscured, which is in accordance with the planning approval received.

"Libraries NI and the WELB are delighted to be taking such a scheme forward for the area."