THE artists behind the Derry Girls mural have unveiled a new painting of tragic nun Sister Clare Crockett in the city.
The UV Arts company painted the mural close to her family home in the Brandywell area on the gable wall at the junction of Deanery Street and Lecky Road. The new mural includes Sr Clare’s motto “All or Nothing” as well as a copy of her signature.
The 33-year-old was killed when the building in which she was teaching music collapsed in an earthquake in Ecuador in April 2016. A number of recordings and writings made available by her order following her death, revealed the young Derry woman to be an unusual candidate for the clerical life.
In a message recorded in 2004, Sr Clare revealed that she had originally wanted to be a movie star and had worked as an actress before she felt a calling to a religious vocation. She also revealed that she announced her plans to take Holy Orders “with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other”.
Since her death, Sr Clare’s grave at Derry City Cemetery has become a place of pilgrimage. There have also been calls for her to be canonised following claims of miracles attributed to her intercession.
The mural is the work of UV Arts who were behind the Derry Girls mural at Orchard Street. Based on the Lisa McGee hit comedy show of the same name, the painting has already become a tourist attraction.
The Sr Clare mural was funded with money raised through the sale of candles, according to her sister, Shauna Gill.
Ms Gill said people were already “stopping and getting out of their cars” to view the artwork.
Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown will bless the new artwork at an official unveiling this Sunday, August 16.
The blessing ceremony at 6pm will be followed by the Rosary (6.30pm) and Mass at the Brandywell Grotto (7pm). Organisers said social distancing should be observed and hand sanitisers will be available. They have also asked those attending to wear face masks is possible.
