Post by Gretta Logue

Torn between two worlds, I have newfound appreciation of Éamonn O'Doherty’s bronze sculptures along the banks of Derry’s River Foyle (‘The Emigrants’, 1990).   The recent Foyle Maritime Festival attracted crowds to engage with our river, a historic launching point for those seeking new lives across the Atlantic. The Spainish Galeón Andalucía was docked there during the festival and provided a majestic backdrop which, for me, enlivened these poignant figures. Somehow, they express the strength of love that bind hearts across oceans: 'We love you'; 'life is hard here'; 'we know you have to go'; 'take me with you'; 'we’ll be ok'; 'we hope you like it there'; 'remember us'… Do you see yourself in them?