One of Derry’s most dynamic and photographed murals is on the move.
Featuring the city’s Richard Moore, founder of charity Children in Crossfire, and its patron, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the mural had decorated a gable wall in Great James Street since 2021.
Mr Moore lost his sight at the age of 10 when he was hit by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier in Creggan in 1972.
The mural was painted by UV Arts, the company behind the now famous Derry Girls’ mural on Orchard Street. However, it has recently become obscured by a new building in the once vacant site, hence its re-location.
Based on a photograph taken in 2007 when Mr Moore welcomed the Dalai Lama to the city, the mural’s new home will in the city centre – at the bottom of Market Street, opposite the Millennium Forum.
Mr Moore said he first became aware of the original mural during a visit to Derry by actor, Joanna Lumley, who was filming a travel show in the city.
He said: “What I didn’t know was the mural was planned. I was supposed to be filmed talking to Joanna around Creggan and the area where I was shot, and we were to finish at the Peace Bridge.
“At first, I thought it was a joke but when my family gathered, I realised it was real.
“For me, the message of the mural is of forgiveness and compassion and the need to reach out the hand of friendship.
“That is what the Dalai Lama has talked about all his life and for me, if the mural displays that, gets that message across, then it has all been worthwhile.”
