Resembling a sail-boat on the crest of a wave, it is located at the roundabout along the N15, to the north side of the town.
HEART Project, Morning Star, 2008
H.E.A.R.T. stands for Heritage, Environment, Art and Rural Tourism. It is a cross-border initiative managed jointly by Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.
The sculpture is of a ‘landmark’ scale, 6.5 meters in height, it is made up of a number of forms, such as the flowing ‘water line’ which makes reference to the Assaroe Falls and River Erne. The Boat form which makes reference to the Mall Port, is elevated above the waterline and is positioned to look out towards the Atlantic ocean. The sculpture is located on the Allingham roundabout near Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
The artwork celebrates the area’s rich industrial/social history and culture. The Mall Quay, Ballyshannon’s port with reference to its shipping heritage, was the first port in Ireland to import coal. It also was a port of departure for immigrants fleeing the famine. The ancient title of the River Erne ‘Morning Star’, its listing in the Annals of the four masters, the first settlers in Ireland on Inis Saimer, the demise of the Abbey Assaroe with particular reference to the name Port na Morrav, the solemn funeral procession being broken by the sound of the abbey bell, the loss of the Falls of Assaroe, rhythmic flowing movement, were other influences which shaped the work.
Info courtesy of dccpa (donegal county council public art)
