Work is taking shape on the Giant of the Sperrins Sculpture Trail to help drive rural tourism across Northern Ireland.

World-renowned artist Thomas Dambo is creating unique art pieces to site at three site locations in the Sperrins. Key site preparation work is taking place at these sites.

The Sperrins Sculpture Trail is delivered through the Rural Tourism Scheme as part of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 with funding support of over £1.32m from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) with match funding totalling £568k from Derry City & Strabane District Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council.

The three locations are at Cranagh (Derry City & Strabane District Council area); at Mullaghcarn (Fermanagh & Omagh District Council area) and at Davagh Forest (Mid Ulster District Council area). The Cranagh site is the most advanced and almost nearing completion, while construction commenced in January at the Davagh Forest and is progressing on schedule. Final investigative works have just been completed on the third site at Mullaghcarn with construction works due to start very soon.

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Last year, Copenhagen based artist Thomas Dambo and the design and construction consultancy team McGurk Architects were appointed to take forward the development and installation works for this exciting Giants of the Sperrins Sculpture project that will showcase the epic stories associated with the Sperrins, the inspirational nature of the landscape, and the giant spirit and welcome of its people.

To date extensive engagement with partners, stakeholders and elected members across all three of the Councils has taken place and news that diggers are on site carrying out the substantial preparatory work has been welcomed as an important step forward towards the next stage of the process. 

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Graham Warke said the preparatory works marked another important milestone in this project.

He said: "I am delighted to hear this project is progressing so well and that we have diggers on site carrying out the essential preparatory work for this exciting project. This trail is a significant Rural Tourism Scheme that is bringing much needed investment and focus on the natural and built heritage which can be utilised and promoted to encourage visitors to our rural heartlands, whilst preserving the natural assets for our rural communities."

He noted that in addition to this flagship tourism project attracting investment and tourism, it is also creating employment and economic opportunities for the region.

DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots commented: "I am pleased at this giant step forward that the Rural Development Programme 2014-20 Rural Tourism Scheme is enabling the creation of this flagship tourism project which will encourage visitors to the Sperrins and provide a much needed boost to the local economy."

Mayor Warke concluded: "There is a lot of excitement around this project and the art installations that will be created to tell the story of this unique historic site and attract tourists from near and far. The sculptures will not only explore and showcase this stunning landscape but it will be a tourist focus point for generations to come. The months ahead will be really exciting as we see the sites getting ready and the installations being completed and ready to be installed ahead of the big reveal and launch later this year."