Limavady's streets become a gallery as locals celebrate being NI’s best place to work from home
Limavady town centre has become an outdoor showcase for new artwork, with street banners featuring designs by local people to celebrate the town being named the North’s best place to work from home by leading rural broadband provider Fibrus.
A competition launched by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Limavady Town Centre Forum and Fibrus Broadband, invited local people to exercise their creative muscles and show what makes Limavady a great place to them.
Under the theme ‘Limavady is Home, The Best Place to Work, Shop, Eat & Enjoy Local’, people submitted drawings, paintings, photographs and sketches.
With entries ranging from views across the Roe Valley and Binevenagh Mountain to independent shops, local heritage and the town's arts, music and sporting life, a judging panel chose six winning designs, which now hang throughout the town centre as a lasting part of its streetscape.
The winners also received a £50 Causeway Coast and Glens Gift Card to spend in local businesses across the borough.
The winners are:
Yvie Conway - The Dog Run: Inspired by childhood memories of running through Roe Valley Country Park with her dog.
Hannah Nicholas - The Hut: Depicts a favourite childhood landmark in Roe Valley Country Park, once used to guard flax during the linen-making process.
Robin Quigley - Roe Valley Musicians: Celebrates a local group of musicians who bring music to Limavady's streets while raising money for charity.
Rachel Cassidy - Beacon of Hope: Captures the historic Roe Valley Workhouse ventilation towers, which she sees as symbols of resilience and hope.
Shauna McAteer - The Puck Out: Inspired by her experience playing camogie, celebrating womanhood and the town's inclusivity and diversity.
Shauna McAteer - The Largy Bridge: Depicts the natural beauty of Roe Valley Country Park and its rich industrial heritage.
The competition followed Limavady securing the top ranking in the first Fibrus Remote Working Index earlier this year.
The independent study ranked towns across Northern Ireland on broadband speed, average house prices, access to shared and flexible workspaces, proximity to green spaces and transport links.
Limavady’s top position emerged as a result of its favourable home prices, with prices for a three-bedroom house in the town averaging £166,332, compared to an average of £208,798 across Northern Ireland.
The town was also recognised for its strong transport links between Derry City and Belfast, as well as its 95% ultra-fast broadband availability.
To celebrate the installation of the new street banners, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, joined members of Limavady Town Centre Forum and Fibrus Broadband in Limavady.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, said: "There is so much to be proud of in Limavady, and these fantastic designs provide a wonderful snapshot of what makes the town such a special place to live, work and enjoy. It is lovely to see the creativity of local people bringing the town centre to life, with the artwork showcasing everything from our beautiful landscape and rich heritage to our independent businesses, arts, music and sporting life.
"These banners are a celebration of local talent and community pride, and I hope they will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. I would also encourage everyone to take the opportunity to explore the town and support the fantastic local businesses that help make Limavady such a vibrant place."
Chair of Limavady Town Centre Forum, Karen Heaney, said: "This project has been a wonderful way to celebrate everything that makes Limavady unique. The competition encouraged people of all ages to reflect on what they value most about their town, and the winning designs beautifully capture the landscapes, heritage, culture and community spirit that make Limavady such a special place.
"Seeing this artwork displayed throughout the town centre is something the Forum is extremely proud of. Not only do the banners brighten our streets, but they also tell the story of Limavady through the eyes of the people who live here. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition and congratulate the winners on creating a lasting legacy that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come."
Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer of Fibrus Group, said: "Being named the best place in Northern Ireland to work from home was a proud moment for Limavady, and we wanted to celebrate it in a way that belonged to the town. The response was fantastic, with entries from young children and seasoned artists who all showed real civic pride in the place they call home.
"Good connectivity means people can build a career without leaving the place they love, and these banners offer a glimpse of what makes Limavady special to the people who live here. They're a lovely reminder that the town is shaped by its people. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who took part."