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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Ballyronan's mysterious mannequin turning heads in Mid-Ulster

If you take a walk through the small Mid-Ulster village of Ballyronan, you might meet the eyes of a figure that's causing quite a stir. And it is a literal figure - that of 'Billy Ronan', Ballyronan's mannequin mascot.

The mannequin has been spotted performing various activities outside the house of Jed Murray since the middle of June.

He told Belfast Live it's a fun way of giving his neighbours a laugh and it's become quite the talking point.

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"I've always been interesting in gardening and felt there was something missing from the garden, like a piece of art or something of that nature," he said.

"I reckoned though that whatever piece of art you'd have in your garden, sooner or later you'd get bored of it.

"So I was racking my brains thinking what could you have in the garden, that you could change around a bit now and again?

"And then I came up with this idea of a mannequin that you could dress up."

With the ease of online shopping, Jed's plan came to fruition much more easily than expected.

"You can buy anything on the internet these days and I've had him out doing different activities out round the place," he said.

"The first couple of times I had him out, all the neighbours thought it was me!

"They were probably wondering 'why's Jed standing over there watering the flowers for over two hours?' I think half the time they still think it's me!

"We call him, and it's quite good I think, Billy Ronan because he's obviously in Ballyronan."

So far, "Billy" has been very busy - he's been spotted playing golf, keeping goal, helping wash the windows of the car and house, cutting the garden, practising his karate, watering the flowers and indulging in a spot of tennis.

Jed said that schedule isn't likely to let up so long as the good weather continues.

"I take him down on a Saturday night because I'm afraid of him getting stolen by someone on the way home from the pub on a Saturday night," he said.

"So on Saturdays, I'm kind of scratching my head thinking what I'm going to put him out in on the Sunday, what activity we can get him doing.

"I've got a few things lined up for him, so people will have a laugh when they see him out over the next while.

"The only thing is, he's a bit unstable in high winds I've discovered, so I might have to retire him over the winter, but we'll get the use out of him while the good weather lasts!"

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