HEART Series #07 - Bench Traditional Geocache

HEART SERIES #07 - Scultpured Bench

The work relates to the history of Ireland and the context of Plumbridge through the ages from pre-Christian era to the present day. Pertinent imagery and history from the area is incorporated within the work.
Six horizontal slabs of Limestone are placed together to form a bench six meters long and one meter wide. The six stone panels depict imagery based on six periods of history, from the pre-Christian era to the present day. A central river image passes through all these panels and epochs, making its way past seasonal star maps and local flora and fauna. These images are shot-blast into the surface of the stones. Details and layers of imagery and references can be glimpsed within the work.

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The HEART Programme

It has been described as ‘unique’ – and the cross-border HEART programme is living up to that description!As the programme gathers momentum and is gaining increasing public and media attention, it’s time to highlight some of the outstanding outcomes of this creative and innovative project.

It is an equal partnership between Donegal County Council and Strabane District Council, with funding from Measure 1.4 of EU INTERREG IIIA Programme, Border Action, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the International Fund for Ireland, Donegal County Council and Strabane District Council. Twelve towns and villages across the two council areas were selected for the HEART programme, which entails environmental improvements, a shop front scheme and a specially commissioned piece of public art for each town or village.

These improvements and enhancements are sensitive and complementary to each locality, involve community participation and consultation – and ultimately combine to create and deliver a rural tourism and public art trail across both council areas, linked by themes based on their history and heritage.

The participating towns and villages in Donegal County Council are:

* Ardara * Ballybofey Stranorlar * Ballyshannon * Lifford * Moville * Ramelton * Raphoe

These complement the selected towns and villages in the Strabane District Council area, including:

* Castlederg * Donemana * Newtownstewart * Plumbridge * Sion Mills

One of the most imaginative and central parts of the HEART programme is the public art aspect. Internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning artists were selected to research local history and heritage, and create suitable and sensitive public art, as a long term tribute to each locality.