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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Connor Lynch

New 'historic' stainless steel mural unveiled in South Belfast

A new stainless steel mural has been unveiled in South Belfast which remembers a popular piece of artwork.

The work, created by artist John Quinn for the Lagan Village Youth & Community Group in the Ravenhill Road area, replicates the work of Rowel Friers which could be seen in the old Park Parade School.

The mural depicts five wild horses and was a very popular piece of art among those who attended the school.

Read more: New all-inclusive playpark praised in South Belfast

It will soon be placed in a new playpark that the Lagan Village community is hoping to have installed in the coming months.

The mural was originally intended to be unveiled by the late South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford who had worked closely with the local community and had been a big advocate for the area.

George Newell of the Lagan Village Youth & Community Group said: "This mural is part of the history of the area and has a strong connection with the former Park Parade School and artist Rowel Friers who attended the school and created the original mural.

"The late Christopher Stalford was originally meant to unveil it after he set the ball in motion and provided us with a lot of support to regenerate the area. The site used to be a bonfire site which was removed, and we feel it is important to recognise the former school and its connection with the community.

"We were very pleased that a number of former pupils were able to attend the unveiling and seeing the wild horses once again brought back a lot of memories for them all. One person came all the way from Australia and we received a letter from a past pupil living in Canada who managed to get a top civil service job there thanks to the help of the former head teacher.

"We have a very diverse community here with people coming from all backgrounds and the wild horses are a great way to symbolise that while also promoting all of the good and positive things that have come from the Ravenhill Road.

"This will only lead to more positivity and we have plans in place to develop a new playpark for the local children which will become the new home for the mural once completed."

The mural was officially unveiled by UUP Leader Doug Beattie and councillor John Kyle, with DUP councillors Tracy Kelly and George Dorrian also showing their support alongside South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots.

Read more: Ulster Folk Museum to be the focus of BBC Four’s ‘Inside Museums’ series

Read more: Arlene Foster and Naomi Long in bitter online spat over policies on Stormont power-sharing

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