New Ballyclare mural links town with rich heritage
A recently completed mural on Ballyclare’s Main Street has helped to bring history to life and pay tribute to a literary great from the town.
Located beside the Old Presbyterian Church, the artwork was created as part of a project by Daisy Chain Inc, who are working on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council on a street art project across the borough.
Artist Zipporah Reynolds, who studied arts in London, created the piece ‘The Auld Meetin'-Hoose Green’, a nod to the south Antrim market town’s past and one of the region’s best known sons.
The chosen site overlooks The Auld Meetin’-Hoose Green, made famous by local writer Archibald McIlroy.
He was born near Ballyclare in 1859 and from humble beginnings, went on to become a successful businessman, public office holder and writer.
His second book, ‘The Auld Meetin'-Hoose Green’, was published in Belfast in 1898. His story draws on the memories of his childhood and youth to provide us with a wonderful picture of Co Antrim life in the mid-Victorian era.
Flowing water through the design highlights the importance of the river crossings and connections of communities within the area.
Paper swooping through the design celebrates the historical papermaking industry in the area and is a reference to the many stories told within the 'Auld Meetin'- Hoose Green' book.
A spokesperson for Daisy Chain Inc stated: “The project aims to breathe new life into the areas with public art, encourage people to visit, meet, work and live in the area, attract footfall to local businesses and create engaging spaces for residents of all ages.”
Commenting on the feedback the mural has received, Zipporah, who has been been a freelance artist within the creative sector for all her working life, explained: "I’m a mural artist by trade. I have completed large scale murals such as the ‘Up the Cregagh’ piece on the Cregagh Road in east Belfast and large gables on the Lisburn Road in south Belfast.
“The local community have loved the piece. So many people shouting up while I’m on the boom lift how much they love it, or while I’m down the ground striking up conversations on the origins on the artwork and ideas which I think is the most important part of creating a piece is interacting with the local community and gaining their feedback and seeing how they react the to pieces.”
Zipporah, who is currently working on a piece in Scotland, added: "A nice challenge was the shape of the wall and having the design response and flow of the design within its unique shape to draw the audiences attention and to make the artwork look intentional for this wall not just ‘stuck there.’
"Each piece created for a mural isn’t really boxed in a timeframe. It’s more of a journey diving into the historical and cultural research of the area to help inform the piece so that the local community can feel connected with the piece and elements resinate with their area and surroundings.