Derry Girls mural bar owner remains silent amid criticism of new structure partially obscuring iconic painting

Fans of the Channel 4 sitcom have expressed their confusion in recent days after The Badgers bar and restaurant on Orchard Street erected a new seating area with an awning outside the premises which obscures the lower half of the mural – which features the show’s main characters Erin, Orla, Michelle, Claire and James.

The mural has become one of Derry’s most popular tourist attractions since it was painted to celebrate the series’ legacy in 2019 and is listed on the Visit Derry website of the best things to see in the city.

The artwork, which was developed by Channel 4’s creative agency 4Creative alongside Derry UV Arts, was briefly adapted at the launch of the third season and during the pandemic to incorporate Covid masks to honour those working there.

It also received Halloween updates to mark the city’s Halloween parade.

Contacted by the Belfast Telegraph, a man who identified himself as the owner of the bar said he would not comment on the new structure and criticised the media interest in it.

In a post under an image of the new structure released by BBC Radio Foyle, many people took to social media to defend the bar and its decision to erect the new outdoor dining area.

“The bar was there long before the mural, it’s hard enough to stay in business these days so this is keeping a local business afloat, I have no problem with that,” one user wrote under the photo.

Another user pointed out that the mural and the faces of the four main characters played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louise Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and Dylan Llewellyn were still visible.

“The mural is still up, it’s not a real problem, Derry Girls have been fantastic for the city and always will be as Badgers,” they said.

Other users also called for the mural to be moved, writing that it can be easily moved, while the bar cannot.

“It’s not rocket science to paint the mural elsewhere… Hugh McDaid (the bar owner) is creating a weatherproof relaxation area for his customers. It’s perfectly normal.”

Despite the support for the bar, other users expressed their disappointment, with one writing: “This is horrible, a ruined tourist attraction” while another said: “Imagine putting something like this on the corner of Free Derry, it wouldn’t be allowed.”

The mural has long been a focal point in Derry since the award-winning comedy written by Lisa McGee began airing in 2018. In 2022, McGee herself posed in front of it, while star Saoirse-Monica Jackson showed it to TV personality and presenter Joanna Lumley during an episode of the latter’s travel series, Joanna Lumley’s Britain.