‘Derry Girls’ mural “ruined” by newly installed bar canopy
A Derry Girls mural in Londonderry, Northern Ireland has been “split in half” by the installation of a bar canopy.
Since being unveiled at Badger’s Bar in 2019, the mural – which features illustrations of Erin, Michelle, Orla, Clare, and James from the hit Channel 4 comedy series – has attracted many visitors wishing to take selfies.
Now, however, the bottom half of the mural has been obscured by the newly installed canopy, leaving locals and tourists disappointed.
Planning permission for the installation was granted in 2022 and construction was completed this week, but the local council has said that the permission did not extend to this particular section of the building.
On Friday (September 13), the council said its planning enforcement team have started an investigation into the matter.
Speaking to BBC News NI, tourists in the city shared their disappointment about the installation, saying it’s a shame the mural can no longer been seen in full.
Julie Sargisson, visiting Derry from New Zealand, said the hit Channel 4 series is “huge” back home. “Everybody I know has watched it and loves the series.”
Sargisson said she thinks the new structure does “cut the mural off a bit,” but said she still thinks it is a very impressive piece of artwork.
Lovely to see Derry shoot itself square in the foot again by building a glorified smoking hut to cover half the Derry Girls mural…
Scunnered is not the word for it.
I despair. pic.twitter.com/YdBjNWGJny— Claire Allan / Freya Kennedy (@ClaireAllan) September 12, 2024
I love my hometown – but sometimes those in charge really know how to ruin a good thing. Derry Girls was an international phenomenon & this mural is incredibly popular with tourists in a prime city location. A real shame.
See below for before & after (yes, that is me). https://t.co/N3jSmAB2QQ pic.twitter.com/MguU7nFz5i— Movies In Focus (@moviesinfocus) September 13, 2024
That new canopy at Badger's Bar really does garrote the heads off the Derry Girls in the mural
Hopefully sense will prevail now that public reaction has been so strong about the change
You wouldn't block half of Free Derry Corner with a canopy
pic.twitter.com/Hl8ZnzT1vP
— Steve Bradley
(@bradley_steve) September 13, 2024
Wayne Corcoran, from Newfoundland in Canada, said he was visiting the city with friends to trace his family roots. “We’ve only been in Derry for a few hours, but we had to see the mural because we are big fans of the series,” he said.
“I guess the awning does impact people’s photos, but I also can see it from the side of the bar; they want people outside spending money and enjoying their drinks – I mean, I know it rains a lot here – so I can see it from both sides.”
Pam Koekbakker, also from Canada, visited Derry last year and said she is disappointed to see the changes made to the wall.
“I saw the mural before without the awning and I think it does split it in half,” Koekbakker said. I don’t think you can see their school uniforms as much, so if you didn’t know the show, you wouldn’t know who they are. It was definitely better the last time I saw it.”
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council has confirmed that the planning permission granted does not include the canopy and structure on the elevation where the Derry Girls mural is located.
Derry Girls was first broadcast in 2018 and ran for three series before finishing in 2022. The third and final series won an International Emmy award for comedy.
In August 2023, Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee announced a new Channel 4 comedy show, titled How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, which follows four Irish friends in their 30s who become embroiled in a mystery after they attend the wake of a former class mate.
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Chris Edwards
NME
