An ‘udderly’ fantastic result as Derry's Ermitrude finds a new home in Donegal

£2,000 was handed over to local charities this week by Enagh Seniors Group, courtesy of the sale at auction of ‘Ermitrude’ The Cow at Lisahally Mart. Foyle Hospice and Foyle Search and Rescue were the recipients and ‘Ermi’ went to its new home in Donegal at Stranorlar.

The sale was the brainchild of Enagh’s Marie Coyle at who’s garden in Maydown ‘Ermi’ has resided for the past four years.

‘Ermitrude’ was one of 15 decorated cows initially placed in public areas throughout the city to mark the 2013 Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture and the four-legged friends were artistically painted as part of a public art initiative known as ‘CowParade’.

Marie takes up the story: "We at Enagh Seniors were gifted one of the cows a number of years ago by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Oonagh McGillen. The cow sat outside the Tourist Board’s office in Foyle Street for seven years initially before our group took ownership of it.

"Not knowing what to do with it, it somehow ended up as a ‘tourist attraction’ in my garden at home and we adopted it under the name ‘Ermitrude.’

"Then one day I thought how could we put it to good use. A few of us ‘old heads’ got together and came up with the idea of repainting it with a map of the world adorning all the places that uses the name ‘Derry/Londonderry’. As you can see it looked well!"

The group then contacted local auctioneer Richard Beattie at Lisahally Mart and asked if he would put it up at auction to see what it would raise. There was a lot of interest and bidding continued until ‘Ermi’ raised the incredible sum of £1,550 and a new home at Stranorlar Mart.

"We were absolutely delighted!’ said Marie. ‘Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would raise that much. It’s even better now because a recent bucket collection added £270 and a further £180 from our group has made the final amount £2,000 - £1,000 each to the Foyle Hospice and Foyle Search and Rescue."

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Both charities called to the group’s Headquarters at Strathfoyle Library on Tuesday morning when the city and district’s Mayor helped hand over the cheques.

Speaking at the handover, Mayor McHugh said: "I was delighted to formally hand over these cheques to these two fantastic local charities, the Foyle Hospice and Foyle Search and Rescue.

"The creativity and dedication of the Enagh Seniors Group and the story of ‘Ermitrude’ shows just what can be achieved when a community comes together.

"Raising £2,000 through such a fun and imaginative initiative is truly inspiring and I want to thank everyone who supported the auction.

"It’s a wonderful example of local spirit and generosity in action and the funds will go directly into helping the two charities to continue their front-line services."