Let the Dance Begin

Something different to change the drive home

Best statues going

To mark the new millennium Strabane District Council in conjunction with the Strabane Lifford Development Commission, The Arts Council of NI, Sustrans and The Ulster Wildlife Trust, initiated a unique cross-border scheme to represent a new and shared beginning for the community.The initiative -a key element of the Council’s policy of developing cross-border links through partnership and of making a positive contribution to reconciliation, community regeneration and a shared cultural vision is represented in the form of 5 semi-abstract stainless steel and bronze figures each approximately 18 foot in height.Music and Dance – great unifying and highly popular art forms throughout the locality, constitute the core theme and are interpreted by their creator, Mr. Maurice Harron,“ Two dancers stand still, poised and ready to begin. At the Lifford side stands a musician holding a fiddle and at the Strabane side a musician with a fife. A drummer stands proudly between them linking the musical ensemble.”The site for the scheme is also highly symbolic – it is indeed poignant that what was once a focal point for division (the old border checkpoint) has now been chosen to represent a confluence of minds and ideas, where the uniqueness and richness of two traditions and cultures merge in harmony and strength.

Great statues, expected them to be a little more remote, not next to the shops.

Kids loved it