Northern Ireland

Crowds join Little Amal as giant refugee puppet visits Derry

Puppet of Syrian child refugee is touring the north ahead of crossing the border

Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

The giant Little Amal puppet has been joined by crowds for a walkabout in Derry as part of its tour of the north.

The 12-foot puppet is part of international performance art project The Walk, which highlights the plight of child refugees fleeing war.

Little Amal is a representation of a 10-year-old Syrian child, and toured Belfast on Friday, with destinations including Stormont and St Anne’s Cathedral.

Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal leaves Guildhall Square. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

On Monday, the puppet and her operators took a walk in Derry, taking in Guildhall Square and crossing the Peace Bridge before making its way to Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area.

Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal on the Peace Bridge in Derry. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

Deputy mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Jason Barr, said the city was “delighted” to host Little Amal and thanked the project “for the work she is doing to help millions of children across the globe seeking sanctuary and stability”.

Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal meets local children in the Bogside area on Monday. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

Little Amal is due to visit Newcastle in Co Down and Newry before crossing the border.



The puppet will visit Dundalk before making its way to Dublin.

Since the project was launched in 2021, Little Amal has visited 15 countries.

Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal makes her way past the Bloody Sunday mural in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal leaves Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal at Free Derry Corner in the Bogside area of Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal makes her way through the Bogside in Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal on the Peace Bridge in Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at Guildhall Square in Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal stopping traffic in Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
Little Amal during her visit to Derry on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  20-5-2024
Little Amal at the Peace Bridge in Derry during her visit to the city on Monday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 20-5-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )