The launch yesterday of the shared community space at Peters Hill, which includes the much talked about installation ‘Inspired to Meet’, was a very happy occasion featuring music and dance along with the mandatory speeches.
Most importantly the sun put in a welcome appearance so that at least everyone was warm and dry.
Unfortunately the creator of the sculpture, Michael Disley, could not attend the launch but the birds on pedestals he created spoke on his behalf and the message was one of peace and harmony as opposed to violence and division.
Louth Chief Executive Joan Martin said “This shared space is an addition to Drogheda which will provide a place for people and communities to meet, will enhance the social fabric of the town and create a new identity for this area within Drogheda’s Heritage Quarter”.
“It is envisaged that this meeting plaza will act as a cross community and cross-border shared space, providing a significant public amenity for the people of Drogheda and symbolising the reconciliation between the communities on this island.”
Examples of just how the new space can be used by the local community included some graceful dancing by members of the KidKast, Drogheda’s premier school for performing arts based at Old Abbey Lane in Drogheda.
This was followed by beautiful singing from members of Drogheda’s youngest ensemble, the hugely enjoyable Loving Life Choir, all of whom sang like angels. Their performance brought home the message that this is a space for all people to gather and enjoy the good things in life which are common to all.
As its name implies, this new public space has the capacity for all manner of get-togethers and activities such as pop-up exhibitions and musical performances or just simply sitting and chatting and being sociable.
No doubt there will be nocturnal activities also but we can only hope that they are of the social rather than the anti-social kind.
This public realm design project was supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported locally by Louth County Council and Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
Match-funding was provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland. It was constructed by Glas Civil Engineering Ltd.
