‘Derry Girls’ mural “ruined” by newly installed bar canopy
nme.comDerry 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, 2024I 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.
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