New artwork encourages people to explore Belfast’s ancient entries

The new public artworks at locations including Joy’s Entry, Pottinger’s Entry and Winecellar Entry are part of an ongoing Belfast City Council project to regenerate the city’s historic entries.

The £870,000 project, part funded by the Department for Communities, has seen seven Belfast entries given a makeover in recent months, benefitting from general repairs and repainting, as well as planned enhanced lighting using innovative technologies and sustainable materials.

Murals depicting Mary Ann McCracken and other lesser known characters such as Robert A Wilson have been completed as part of the project.

Interpretative panels are also going up in the entries so that people can learn about the characters’ links to the city.

Other murals give a nod to Belfast’s punk scene and its linen and maritime history, and the theme of water also runs through the project; a reference to the River Farset.

Work on the final mural celebrating one of the first black abolitionists to visit Ireland – Olaudah Equiano – is set to get underway next week.

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey said it was timely to shine a spotlight on the public art, which has been drawing the attention of passers-by over recent weeks as work has progressed.

Alderman McCoubrey said it was also fitting to see work begin on the African abolitionist’s mural, highlighting his legacy and his links to Ireland and Belfast, during what is Black History Month.

He said: “These entries have been a part of the fabric of our city for decades, with their own fascinating links to Belfast’s past. This project was about celebrating that unique heritage, and encouraging people to find out more about the places on their doorstep.”

The city’s urban art scene has also been boosted by a creative partnership with Destination CQ and Belfast One Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which has seen dozens of utility boxes transformed with colourful art by up and coming artists as part of the Belfast Canvas project, which is about to enter its second phase.

Kathleen McBride, from Belfast One said: “The Belfast Canvas initiative has added colour and vibrancy to our city centre streets and we’re excited to see this expanding throughout the area. We look forward to seeing more eye-catching designs over the coming months! The new entries artwork is also a welcome addition to the city centre.”

To read more about the Belfast Entries project, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/regeneration and join the conversation on social media, following the hashtag #belfastentries

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