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Video: Republic of Ireland star James McClean voted Derry legend

Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin and children Allie-Mae (age 3) and Junior McClean (age 1)
Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin and children Allie-Mae (age 3) and Junior McClean (age 1) Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin and children Allie-Mae (age 3) and Junior McClean (age 1)

Republic of Ireland star James McClean has been named as one of three “living legends” to have their faces featured on Derry buses.

Following a public vote, the footballer was nominated along with singer-songwriter Phil Coulter and actress Roma Downey as the three legends Derry people wanted to see pictured on the sides of Translink’s new Bus of Legends.

The West Bromwich Albion player, who captained the Republic of Ireland side last week, said he was overwhelmed by the honour.

“I am so proud of where I come from and I truly believe Derry is the best place in the world.”

James McClean junior at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Guildhall Square
James McClean junior at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Guildhall Square James McClean junior at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Guildhall Square

Phil Coulter, who attended today’s unveiling, said he was thrilled to feature alongside a Hollywood star and a soccer hero.

Mr Coulter, who penned Derry’s anthem The Town I Love So Well said: “As a kid growing up in Derry, one of the most common insults was ‘you have a face like the back of a bus.’ Little did I think that one day my face would be on a bus.”

The launch of the new bus also marked the unveiling of a fleet of buses which will form the new Foyle Metro service which starts in Derry in September. As well as a new timetable, new routes are to be introduced.

Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Derry.
Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Derry. Phil Coulter and James McClean's wife Erin at the Foyle Legends bus unveiling in Derry.

Unable to attend the unveiling, Hollywood actress Roma Downey said she felt honoured and privileged to be part of the new campaign.

“I have lived and worked all over the world and certainly you can take the girl out of Derry but you can never take Derry out of the girl. I love the spirit of my home town and I will always be a Derry girl at heart.”

Translink head of bus service Ciaran Doherty said the event was a celebration of three examples of Derry’s “amazing talent”.

James McClean 
James McClean  James McClean