'Free Derry' is pink with pride

Keiron Tourish
BBC News

Organisers say the paint job shows a positive message Enlarge Image

Northern Ireland's numerous murals have depicted life during the Troubles and beyond.

More recently they've helped draw tourists from across the world.

But Londonderry's best known gable wall has got people talking for an altogether different reason.

Free Derry Corner is turning pink as part of the Gasyard Feile.

The makeover is also timed to coincide with Foyle Pride Week, which is being staged in the city next month for the first time in five years.

"Given that Gay Pride is coming up at the beginning of next month, we thought we should come up with a positive way of making a contribution," said feile organiser Jim Collins.

"And what better way than transforming Free Derry wall - it's such an icon locally."

David McCartney of the Rainbow Project described the gesture as "a powerful gift".

"The focus of this year's pride festival is human rights and civil liberties and the wall is the perfect representation of that," he said.