Mural tells ‘story of shared history’

At the Mourneview mural from left to right are: Jennifer Hawthorne, NIHE, Andrew Dunlop, Manager of the Jethro Centre, Ciaran Hanna, SEUPB, Comghal McQuillan, NIHE, Kim Quinn, NIHE, Mark Tipping, Ivan Chapman, John Carson, Johnny Mercer, Mourneview and Grey Estates Community Association.

The five display boards depict historic scenes from the signing of the Ulster Covenant and also scenes honouring the contribution of local men in World War I, specifically in the Battle of the Somme.

The artwork which replaces the former Reformation Mural at Pollock Drive was designed by the renowned artist Ross Wilson in conjunction with the local community. This engagement was in the form of workshops which were funded by Olive Hobson, the Community Development Worker for the Jethro Centre in Lurgan.

The artwork tells a story which the Chairperson of Mourneview and Grey Estates Community Association, Jonny Mercer described as “A story of our shared history.”

Speaking at the unveiling he thanked those who were involved in the project: “This welcoming and inclusive art work would not have been achieved without the commitment of members of our group who worked tirelessly to ensure everything came together.

“I would like to pay particular tribute to the artist Ross Wilson who worked so well with all of us and also the BRIC Programme and the Jethro Centre for making our dream a reality through their funding.”

The artwork was made possible through the BRIC (Building Relations In communities) programme. The BRIC project is an initiative designed to encourage greater levels of social integration within Northern Ireland’s housing sector and is funded by the EU PEACE III Programme. It is delivered by a unique partnership between the Rural Development Council, the Housing Executive and the training consultancy TIDES.

Also speaking at the event, Jennifer Hawthorne, Head of Social Regeneration Unit for the Housing Executive said: “On behalf of the Housing Executive and our BRIC partners I would like to congratulate Mourneview and Grey Estates Community Association for coming up with this outstanding example of art work which I hope will encourage communities to examine their shared history and continue to foster good relations in the years to come.”

The initiative is run with assistance from the EU’s PEACE III Programme.