L'Derry Factory Girls Sculpture Moves Closer

£40,000 is being given to Derry City Council to support a sculpture celebrating the contribution of female shirt factory workers to the city and its development.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland announced his support for a plan to have the 'Factory Girls' sculpture as the centre piece of a public realm scheme in front of the Guildhall in Harbour Square. A debate erupted last year when the artist, Louise Walsh, selected King Street roundabout as her chosen site for the sculpture, but Roads Service expressed safety concerns over the location for an object of its size.

Now, funding of almost £40,000 has been made available to the council and Ms Walsh to work on the redesign of the sculpture.

Announcing the funding Minister McCausland said: "My Department remains committed to erecting a piece of public art to commemorate the key role that the female workers in Londonderry’s shirt factories played in the social and economic history of the city.

"This funding will enable the Council and the artist to progress the much anticipated Factory Girls sculpture to the next design stage. Although there have been delays to the project, I am confident we are moving closer to having a permanent commemoration to the factory girls of Londonderry."

Town Clerk and Chief Executive Sharon O’Connor, welcoming funding to progress with first phase design and costing of the Factory Girl’s sculpture in Harbour Square, said: "The proposed public artwork will become an iconic city symbol, formally acknowledging the important role played by women who worked in the factory industry.

"The artwork will enhance the Harbour Square public realm scheme and create a welcoming public space in front of the Guildhall. I am confident that this iconic piece of public art, once completed, will preserve the importance of the factory girl’s role for future generations and become a symbol of our shared history and regeneration."

Artist Louise Walsh said: "The public sculpture celebrates the contribution of the city’s female shirt factory workers, their expertise and our collective industrial heritage and labour history. I hope the artwork can create a space that can be used and enjoyed by people. I look forward to working on the re-design process and with a team of experts to integrate the sculpture into the redevelopment of the Harbour Square site."

The Design works are due to be complete by 31 December 2014, following which a Planning Permission application will be made.

(IT/MH)