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Every Thursday, we pick a visual detail somewhere in Ireland and tell the story behind it. This week: How did the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe end up on a gable end in east Belfast?
CS LEWIS IS one of Belfast’s most famous sons. The author, who is best known for writing The Chronicles of Narnia, was born in the city and spent part of his childhood in the Strandtown area of East Belfast.
There are many nods to the writer dotted throughout the city, including CS Lewis Square, a community space that’s home to statues of Lewis’ most famous characters, including Aslan and Mr. Tumnus. Additionally, there are plaques commemorating Lewis’ birthplace and his childhood family home.
But perhaps the most eye-catching celebrations of Lewis are two murals that can be seen in the city centre and have become a destination of sorts for Narnia enthusiasts.
The brightly coloured mural depicts Lewis alongside scenes from his most famous book, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and has been around since 2003. According to Ulster University’s Conflict Archive, the CS Lewis design replaced a loyalist paramilitary mural.
The Narnia mural was painted by artist David Dee Craig in 2008 and replaced another loyalist mural. It was launched by First Minister Peter Robinson, who said the mural signified a willingness on the part of people in the area to move forward and put the past behind them.
This mural wouldn’t be here today if there wasn’t people comfortable with changing it from a paramilitary mural to this. That indicates to me that people are moving on and people want to see a brighter future for young people.
Both murals are now featured on the city’s mural tours and serve as fitting tributes to one of Belfast’s most distinguished writers.
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Helen mc enree & a very sensible positive idea in the same sentence? Is it April 1sr already?
@Mary Linton: You would think if a pilot kept on crashing planes, they’d be sacked, but the same ineptitude is fine in politics, apparently!
@Mary Linton: I know right? I thought DOGE were cutting all this.
@Louis Jacob: Apologies, lost me there….. isn’t DOGE an American financial accountability department?
@Mary Linton: you’re a bore
Seems reasonable.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: you obviously don’t havw school going children . These children need massive supports some are non verbal some very verbal so putting in a student. Teacher is like letting a trainee electrician loose to rewire a hole house . No experience .
@Karen Marten: if alternative is no teacher, then put the kids first. Cop on.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: you have no cop on how would you .
@Karen Marten: are u a parent. I doubt it you know nothing.
@Karen Marten: I don’t think theyre asking the trainee teachers to run the school either. The point is to train teachers withing the special school setting. Can’t see any issue with this.
@Mindful Muinteoir: When I taught deaf and special needs children trainee teachers would spend time in the classroom with us. This showed them how we sometimes have to adapt our teaching to include all children equally. It also gave them an insight into what being a SEN teacher requires should they wish to go down that path.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: So you don’t believe that children with special needs deserve to have teachers who are specifically trained to teach these children and to meet their needs? Shameful!!
@Mindful Muinteoir: Wow, how about they get primary school teachers to start lecturing in third level institutions? And don’t tell me that’s not the same thing, it is.
@Ann Reddin: Steady up. It’s placement as part of their studies and they would be supervised by qualified teachers at all times. Experience is the best way to learn anything. This is a positive step
Anything Master minded by this silly woman, is bound to be a disaster!
@Brian Hunt: Play the ball Brian.
It’s a great idea.
They’re already doing it so makes sense.
Any measure that will address the early intervention for those with Special Needs in schools must be welcomed
Great idea, but unions won’t allow it as they’ll put teachers first as usual.
@Allo Allo: unfair.
@Allo Allo: you obviously did’nt bother to read the article. The INTO came up with this idea first, you gobdaw.
‘Something something… teachers bad’ and so on
@Allo Allo: how is it a great idea these trainee teachers can barely teach mainstream kids my child is in 6th class a crucial year a a newly grad teacher was put to them be more suited with junior or senior infants. So how is it a good idea to do the same with special need kids. No no plenty of years of experience is needed for that type of teaching
And where are these people being forced into these positions going to live?
Pay them properly so they decide to stay in Ireland and after turning the masters in education into a cash cow students spend €10000 to qualify
I agree with this. I only said something similar a few weeks ago. Main stream teachers just think 1 way and that’s all kids are the same when that’s not the case. I’ve seen it so many times and it’s annoying.
@darren guthrie: absolute nonsense statement
have your say