A new phase of the civic space at Saltwater Square has opened to the public, marking another milestone in the city's transport‑led regeneration. The centrepiece is Reflections, a striking nine‑metre‑high sculpture designed by Golden Thread Gallery following Translink's extensive engagement with local communities and fabricated by Northern Ireland artist Kevin Killen.

Reflections has been created as a gateway marker that signals arrival into a city shaped by industry and focused on the future. It combines original sections of the former Boyne Bridge with contemporary mirror‑polished steel to symbolise innovation, connection and renewal.

The unveiling brought together Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway, elected representatives, community groups, artists and young people. The event also launched When Walls Speak Welcome – a schools‑led public art initiative creating large‑scale murals at the station and marking both hidden and well‑known local stories captured on the walls.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: "Today marks another important milestone in the Grand Central Station journey. The opening of Saltwater Square and the unveiling of this artwork acknowledge the history of this area while looking ahead to its future. By reusing elements of the former Boyne Bridge, the artwork reflects the past as this new public space takes shape. Saltwater Square will play an important role as part of the city's transport hub and the wider regeneration of Belfast."

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said: "It's wonderful to see these two pieces of art unveiled today at Saltwater Square, Weavers Cross.

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"Belfast is becoming increasingly well-known the world over for our welcome, our resilience and our innovation – so it's very fitting that this striking Reflections sculpture and When Walls Speak Welcome mural which have been inspired and shaped by our heritage, local people and schoolchildren will now give a meaningful, memorable greeting to commuters, visitors and tourists as they arrive in our great city."

Golden Thread Gallery's Co-Directors Peter Richards and Sarah McAvera, said: "In Reflections, carefully restored industrial steel meets its mirrored future, bound by a golden seam. Its use of the Japanese principle of Kintsugi – repairing broken materials to create strength and beauty – speaks directly to Belfast's story of resilience and regeneration. Drawing from the outcomes of Translink's programme of community consultation, the artwork reflects themes of innovation, heritage, connection and civic pride. The union of historic riveting and polished steel invites you to see yourself reflected in Belfast's evolution."

Speaking at the event, Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of Translink, said: "Arts and heritage play a defining role at Grand Central Station and across the surrounding public realm at Saltwater Square. Reflections is a powerful symbol of Belfast – honouring our industrial heritage while celebrating the people, creativity and ambition shaping the city today. Positioned at one of NI's most important gateways, it creates a strong sense of arrival and a warm welcome for everyone travelling through Belfast Grand Central Station."

The outward‑facing mural, officially titled 'When Walls Speak Welcome', has been delivered by Translink in partnership with Daisychain, involving pupils from seven local schools working with professional artists. The programme has produced a large‑scale street art mural along Grosvenor Road and Durham Street, with additional murals being created for each participating school.

Adam Turkington from Daisychain said: "When Walls Speak Welcome is about giving young people a real voice in shaping how Belfast greets the world. Through this project, we've heard clearly that people want to see murals that reflect not just one part of our identity but the full richness of who we are. These walls bring those ideas to life a shared welcome created by young people from schools near the station and artists".

Further inner‑facing murals have been co‑designed with local community groups, reflecting what matters most to those who live, work and connect in the area. Participants were involved throughout and helped paint the artworks, working alongside renowned artist Dee Craig of Belfast Mural Arts.

Together, the artworks establish Saltwater Square as a welcoming threshold to the city, embedding local identity at the heart of this transformational regeneration. Saltwater Square forms part of Weavers Cross, a flagship Northern Ireland Executive regeneration project, and will continue to host cultural activity, events and community celebrations as the wider Belfast Grand Central Station transformation advances.