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Ní Chuilín switches on Derry Live Site

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The Live Site is situated in Waterloo place in the city and is designed to animate this area and to contribute to a shared sense of space.

Speaking as the site was switched on, the Minister said: “This is the second live site in the north, which will allow us to come together in celebration to enjoy cultural and sporting events. I am sure that this live site will have as much success as the Belfast live site and bring people together to enjoy events via the big screen.

“When the Games begin next July, this site will provide the opportunity for all of us to watch and support our local sporting stars as they compete in the London 2012 Games.”

The Minister highlighted her support for the partnership between Derry City Council, BBC and local cultural organisations who have all worked together to regenerate this part of Derry City Centre.

She said: “The location of the Derry site will help breathe new life into this part of the town. It supports much of the work undertaken by the Council, by ILEX and DSD and by the Tourist Board which aims to create attractive places where people want to be.

“I would also like to acknowledge CultureNI, particularly the 30 trainees in the Creative Industries, who have helped to develop content for the site which tells the stories of some of our sporting heroes and showcases some of the world class cultural projects taking place here to celebrate the London 2012 Games.”

Bill Morris, Director of Ceremonies, Education & Live Sites for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: "I am delighted that Derry/Londonderry has become part of this national network of big screens which will enable people in their own communities to gather together and enjoy the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This Live Site will not only bring the sport into the heart of the City, but also be a focal point for showcasing local talent when the eyes of the world are on us at during the summer of 2012."

The Mayor, Alderman Maurice Devenney said the Live Site was an excellent facility that would benefit the whole community allowing everyone to come together and experience the Olympic and Paralympic Games in their city: “Not only will this facility allow us to get into the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and be part of the celebrations, but it will allow us to showcase local talent and events and become a focal point in the city centre. The Live Site is part of a series of projects being supported by the Council to encourage local participation and celebration in sport and getting people together to enjoy events. The Live Site will provide the city with a permanent resource to be used in the run up to and during the City of Culture 2013 to engage with communities and provide a lasting legacy for the city and region.”

David Lewis, Director of Culture NI who provided content for the Big Screen, added: “NI Champions was directly inspired by the 2012 Games to tell the inspirational stories of Olympians and Paralympians past and present, as well as highlighting artists taking part in exciting London 2012 Festival and Cultural Olympiad projects.

“We are delighted at how the students have responded to the challenge of producing work in a real life digital media environment. The fantastic quality of the films they have made speaks for itself.”

Notes to editors:

  1. DCAL has provided just over £500,000 grant to support the installation of the Live Site in Derry, the Live Site Network connects Derry and Belfast sites to 20 other cities in England, Scotland and Wales.
  2. The Big Screens are erected and run through a partnership between London 2012, the BBC and Local Authorities. They are funded through support from Local Authorities, London 2012 official partners BT and Lloyds TSB, official supporter Cisco and the Olympic Lottery Distributor using National Lottery funds. The screens carry a combination of local, national news and other BBC content in addition to London 2012 updates, partner films and local community focused output such as university graduations or local art projects. At Games-time there will be a national network of screens which will enable local communities to gather and watch London 2012 sport and events.
  3. Culture NI, with DCAL support, is delivering a creative industries training course which will enable 30 trainees to develop content for use on the NIChampions web-site http://www.nichampions.org and on local Live Sites.
  4. For media enquiries please contact DCAL Communications Office 028 9051 5048 or communications@dcalni.gov.uk .Out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.