The custom of constructing the city’s Christmas trees each year has been done so with extra zest this year as Derry City Council commissioned the help of local artists to dress the city’s not one, not two but three featured trees in addition to the 120 illuminated as part of the Festival of Trees.
Tina McLaughlin beside the “Lace” Christmas tree in Guildhall Square. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
Located in Guildhall Square, Waterloo Place and, for the first time this year, at Ebrington Square, the Christmas focal trees are dazzling in appearance and on closer inspection each projects a similar theme honouring the rich heritage of our textile industry.
Local designer and artist Tina McLaughlin who was tasked with dressing the trio of trees speaks about her vision to transform each in doing so reaching out to the people of Derry and beyond with the use of textiles.
“I wanted to celebrate our city’s heritage and the human connection to the rich textile industry. I am particularly proud of the results and how the trees have turned out.
“The grandness of the Guildhall Square’s ‘Lace Tree’ adorned with special occasion lace doilies, coloured in gold, cream and silver and complete with fabric donned clocks and heart baubles, has that bit of extra glitz and glamour added by the use of customised vintage gifts such as golden ice skates, a silver guitar and a bedazzled dolls house, exudes the epitome of all that we love during the festive season.
“The ‘Shirt Factory’ Tree in Waterloo Place uses a mixture of cotton stripe and check to adorn the locally sourced decorations; miniature shirts, giant buttons, tape measures as tinsel, oversized scissors and beautifully crafted shirt baubles.
“This tree is a direct tribute to the generations of hard working women in this city who added to the economic and social well-being of this city and my salute to these amazing women.”
Speaking about the “Tartan Tree” at Ebrington, she said: “The criss-crossed bands in multiple colours was the perfect patterned fabric to dress the city’s newest and finest shared space, and the sacred tartan is a worthy homage to both the former army barracks location and the vibrant punk population of Derry.
“Comparisons can be drawn on how Authority and Anarchy both existed alongside at a turbulent time in the history of the city.”
She concluded: “The use of tartan as a signature Christmas textile with a foot in the contemporary fashion world signifies a fabric whose qualities we wish to emulate in our proud city through a distinctive design that weathers the test of time.”
Conor Canning, Head of Environmental Services at Derry City Council, said he was delighted to be able to facilitate the three feature trees this year.
“As we celebrate our City of Culture, we had planned for an increase in the number of large feature trees together with an additional 120 trees spread across the City for the Festival of Trees event, all of which we were delighted to be able to source locally.
“In thanking Ilex for their participation and investment in the tree dressing, the trees are a welcomed addition to the Christmas lighting scheme and I think everyone will agree that the results are truly amazing. All of the trees will remain lit, twinkling well into the New Year illuminating both the Cityside and Ebrington Square.”
The Festival of Trees illuminates areas of Ebrington Square, both sides of the Peace Bridge, the Guildhall, Foyle Street car park, New Market Street, the Diamond and one each on the approaches to the city.
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