Council approves removal of deteriorated “Points of Departure” pieces on Derry’s Quay

Derry City and Strabane District Council have approved the removal of the Points of Departure artworks at the Quay, Derry.

According to an officers’ report, presented to members at December’s Business and Culture Committee meeting, the artworks consist of recycled timber blocks with mounted plaques, are located along the riverfront, and serve as a public art trail guiding visitors along the Quay to “reflect on the city’s past as a major departure point for thousands of emigrants”.

Head of Culture, Aideen McCarter said the Points of Departure pieces have deteriorated significantly in recent years, and the mounted plaques have already been removed and are now held in secure storage.

She recommended that the council now secure a price for the removal and disposal of the artworks, which is not anticipated to be significant, and noted that Officers have discussed it with the original artist who is “satisfied that the pieces have reached the end of their life and content for them to be removed”.

“Exposed ironmongery and fixings present ongoing health and safety concern,” she added. “And the artworks are now visually unattractive.”

Sinn Féin councillor Conor Heaney said it was a pity that the artworks hadn’t “endured” but conceded that they had to be “dealt with”, while SDLP councillor Sean Mooney asked about any potential replacements.

“If we are going to take it away are we going to be marking it in any other way, or is council in discussions as any other body?” he asked.

“It’s important because it’s a feature of the city about emigration; people were leaving in what were known as coffin ships and leaving Ireland for a reason, and I wouldn’t like to see them just taken away.”

Darren Guy asked if there were plans to display the plaques in a different location.

Ms McCarter said officers have had ongoing discussions with DfC about a possible replacement, and the plaques were now in secure storage “with a view to them being utilised at a point in the future”.