Councillors from both Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council joined Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the International Fund for Ireland and other stakeholders to view some of the public art and environmental improvements made by HEART over the past two years, and to celebrate the overall successes of the HEART project.The cross-border HEART project (Heritage, Environment, Art and Rural Tourism) has seen twelve towns and villages across both council areas benefit form a total of twelve new pieces of public art, a shop front scheme to encourage local businesses to improve their image, and a whole range of environmental improvements in each locality.In the past two years, the HEART project has invested over 3 million euro on these improvements. A HEART heritage and tourism trail has been developed from the initiative – enhancing tourism and economic opportunities across the entire HEART region.Councillor Jarlath McNulty, chair of Strabane District Council said “This is a momentous day for everyone who has been involved in the HEART project in recent years. By combining art and heritage with environmental improvements it is clear to see how these combine to significantly improve the appearance and cultural value in each of the twelve towns and villages right across the HEART region.Councillor Gerry Crawford, Mayor of Donegal County Council said “HEART has shown how councils on either side of the border can work together for the benefit of all – to make our areas more attractive and welcoming to visitors, while making each location a more pleasant place to live.“People right across the HEART region have embraced these improvements. The feedback we are hearing from local people is that they love their new sculptures and public art. You could say they have taken them to their ‘heart’!”The HEART celebration delegation visited Sion Mills where they viewed public art by acclaimed artist Eamonn O’Doherty called the ‘Flax Spinner’. They also viewed the new public art in Raphoe titled ‘Mother Earth’ by Maurice Harron then travelled to Lifford to see the dramatic ‘Lifford Coins’ located on the Lifford Roundabout.Speaking at the unveiling, Paddy Harte of the International Fund for Ireland – one of the primary project funders, said:"I am delighted to be here today at the official opening of this official launch of these three magnificent pieces of public art ‘Mother Earth’, ‘Flax Spinner’ and ‘Three Coins’ in celebration of Lifford’s present and future. From the stand point and looking across at the Tinnies, one is struck by the fact that this is a very different place to what it was during all those years of political instability. This has come about and has only been possible because of the vision, commitment and energy of very many people over very many years who have wanted to make their community a better place.He continued: "The HEART project with its cross-border and cross-community focus goes to the very core of the work of the International Fund's strategy of Sharing this Space. The kind of future we all want for our society is based upon the ability of all of us to share our rich heritage and traditions and the continued success of political stability depends upon how well we all participate in this. I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the HEART project for your vision, your commitment and your sheer hard work and perseverance."The celebrations were completed with lunch and the official launch at the Courthouse in Strabane, where the funders were thanked, and the tireless efforts of all involved in the HEART project was commended.H.E.A.R.T. was funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Border Action through Measure 1.4 of the EU’s Interreg IIIA programme, the International Fund for Ireland, Donegal County Council, Strabane District Council and the Private Sector.For further information, contact HEART programme manager Roisin Connolly at Strabane District Council on 028 7138 2204 ext 266 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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