New Derry Peaball mural celebrates the power of sport to bring young people together
A new mural aims to celebrate friendship and the positive impact of sport which was unveiled in Creggan as part of a PEACEPLUS Street Art Reimaging project led by Féile in collaboration with street artist collective Peaball.
The mural was created following a series of workshops curated by Féile and Peaball involving young people from Séan Dolan's GAC, Trojans YCG and the YMCA in Drumahoe.
The artwork, located in Creggan, depicts young girls wearing the colours of Séan Dolan's GAC and Trojans YCG playing together, symbolising the close relationship between both organisations and their shared commitment to supporting young people. This on a background of the Health For Life organisation logo, highlighting the connection and bright future between both clubs and this new health and wellbeing organisation in the community.
Organisers said that throughout the project participants explored how sport can act as a powerful vehicle for peacebuilding, encouraging young people from different backgrounds to meet, build friendships and develop a greater understanding of one another through shared experiences.
Rather than focusing on competition, the mural hopes to highlight the values that unite both clubs, community, friendship, respect and belonging and recognises the vital contribution they make to nurturing future generations in Creggan.
Ruairí O'Connell, Project Coordinator with Féile, said: "One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was watching young people who had never met before quickly realise just how much they had in common. Sport gave them a natural starting point, but what developed went far beyond that. They shared experiences and created something together that will remain in the community for years to come. This mural is a celebration not only of two fantastic organisations, but of the young people themselves and what can happen when they are given the opportunity to learn from one another."
Organisers said the mural forms part of a wider series of public artworks delivered through the PEACEPLUS programme, each exploring themes of inclusion, community connection and shared futures while giving young people a leading role in shaping the creative vision behind the artwork.
The project was supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, creating opportunities for young people to come together, share experiences and see new perspectives.