A bridge to the past: Sculpture including parts of demolished Boyne Bridge unveiled at Belfast's Grand Central Station

The tall mirrored edifice in Saltwater Square outside the city’s Grand Central Station was built using elements of the historic Boyne Bridge, which was controversially knocked down during construction of the massive transport hub.

Titled ‘Reflections’, the nine-metre sculpture features a reflective surface on one side and exposed bridgework from the Sandy Row landmark on the other. That means parts of Boyne Bridge are permanently on show to all around, while the monument artistically symbolises links to the area’s industrial heritage while looking to a renewed and connected future.

Along with artwork from local schools on walls around the approach to Saltwater Square, the sculpture was unveiled this afternoon by Belfast lord mayor Tracy Kelly, infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins and Translink chief executive Chris Conway – but it didn’t go entirely without a hitch.

Wrapped in white covering with a green bow, the sculpture’s big reveal was a bit late into the station – delayed when ropes meant to unwrap it from the top down snapped after a couple of seconds in use, forcing officials to snatch the covering away from the bottom.

And things threatened to go seriously off the rails when Mr Conway was confronted by an angry passer-by, who got in his face demanding the chief executive admit fault with the transport company’s mobile phone app.

Chased around Saltwater Square by a line of Grand Central Station security, the furious man repeatedly shouted “your app’s a disgrace” as he left the area.

But with ‘Reflections’ finally on show, south Belfast MLA Edwin Poots said he was pleased to see the “very rich history” of the area and the bridge on display for future generations.

“The original Boyne Bridge is still there, the bridge that King William crossed,” he told the News Letter. “It’s underground, due to Belfast’s changes over the years, but extracts have been taken from it as well.

“Removing the 1936 bridge did cause controversy, but aspects of it have been kept and used in this sculpture. It’s an important part of Belfast history and Sandy Row in particular.”

The DUP politician revealed he and his office have been working on a separate project to reuse elements of the bridge, and hope to get Heritage Lottery funding to build a piece on Sandy Row itself.

Both the sculpture and nearby artwork from local children delighted the lord mayor – and she was particularly pleased to see her old school, Donegall Road Primary, took part in the project.

“I’m always delighted to see Donegall Road involved,” she told the News Letter. “I think it’s wonderful that Translink involved schools around the station; while we’re celebrating heritage and culture in this area, we have to listen to young people and their aspirations too.”

Turning to ‘Reflections’ itself, Ms Kelly added: “Having the sculpture will be a permanent reminder that Boyne Bridge did stand on Durham Street and Sandy Row. The bridge is something we’ll never forget in this community, and this ensures it will have a place for generations to come.”