The project is helping local young people have pride in their area
A new mural designed and created by local young people is brightening up a South Belfast street entrance plagued by graffiti.
The existing pedestrian access on Maryville Street in the Donegall Pass area had a neglected, rundown, and unkempt appearance. Primary school-aged children from the local area took part in a summer-long creative project designed to transform the area with a new mural designed to create a relaxed, refreshing, and pleasant experience for people walking through the area.
Led by street artist Carla Hodgson (also known as CHA CHA), the mural was developed through a series of workshops organised by Donegall Pass Community Forum as part of an ongoing community partnership supported by LQ BID. The motivation of the project was for children to explore and develop images that make them happy and glad to be in the area.
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The mural’s background features views of landmarks close to the area, such as the School of Music, Nula with the Hula, City Hall, Harland and Wolff cranes and the Big Fish. Over the background there are colourful images chosen and drawn by the children, including images of butterflies, wildflowers, stars and birds.
The project helps give young people pride in the area while increasing personal confidence, with one of the children taking part saying: “Every time I pass this I will know I did part of it.”
An unveiling event for the mural was attended by local residents, community representatives, and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, who praised the initiative as a powerful example of creativity and collaboration at the heart of community regeneration.
Reflecting on the unveiling, the Lord Mayor said: “Donegall Pass has a rich and unique character, and it’s brilliant to see that coming through in this project, with the young people’s design making the mural even more special.
“It’s not just about transforming a space – it’s about celebrating the people, stories and history that make this part of the city special. Projects like this bring real pride to local communities and show how every part of Belfast has a role to play in shaping the city’s future.”
Chris McCracken, Managing Director of LQ BID, said: “This project shows what can be achieved when creativity, community, and collaboration come together. We’re proud to support local residents in creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that reflect the spirit and identity of Donegall Pass. It’s another step towards making the wider Linen Quarter a more welcoming and liveable part of the city.”
The Maryville Street mural forms part of a wider initiative to transform key entrance points into Donegall Pass, a historically active and close-knit neighbourhood adjacent to the Linen Quarter. The work builds on years of community-led improvements and is intended to reflect local identity and values through vibrant, collaborative public art.
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