Adrian Jacobs is the deceased writer on whose behalf his family seek justice for alleged plagiarism on the part of Christopher Little and Bloomsbury  – publishers of the Harry Potter word-spinning carousel beloved by the gullible. By all accounts it would indicate that the Harry Potter people were not able to even come up with their own fantasies. Zounds! We have little to say about any of this but to wish Mr. Jacobs ‘ people good luck from us whose position on this and related matters is well enough expressed on the main page of our blog.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the tourist season grinds to a close. Those competent artists among you who have something to express and know how to express it might consider showing at our illustrious gallery. During the summer season this is one of the most cosmopolitan and most visited galleries to be found anywhere in Ireland and elsewhere for that matter. It is funded entirely by ourselve and gets as much financial help in that regard as the upkeep of our murals. Zilch in other words. But then you have to understand the position of our council members. They cannot promote or market our murals without promoting us and to do that they would have to change overnight from game-playing biased ingrates to decent human beings. Hell will freeze over, as they say. We sail on regardless.

John Hume and Paddy Bogside

The new exhibition at our gallery in the Bogside area of Derry has been a resounding success. Over three hundred people attended the opening of this show commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the Battle of The Bogside that is also the subject of our most famous mural. The address was given by John Hume who, despite failing health, was “happy and proud” to make the opening address. Also in attendance were Paddy Bogside and Ivan Cooper, two of the major figures from the sixties and  prominent figures from the beginnings of the march for democracy to the present day. This march was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King and a full account of that and what it meant to Bogsiders in general and indeed to the entire Free Democracy Movement can be found in our book The People’s Gallery. You can still get this book via our website, probably the only book you will find anywhere that tells you the exact truth about our murals and where they came from.  Many other councillors and VIPs were also in attendance.  Our thanks to them all.

This new exhibition has now been seen by many thousands of people from all over the world making of our recently opened gallery probably the most constantly visited of any city gallery in Ireland. If you are in Derry do not forget to call in. You will learn much about the history of the Troubles and the struggle for rights and freedom of speech and about the process of healing through art. You will hear and see  much to instruct …. and indeed to astonish you. Our warmest thanks to all who attended and especially to our good friend John Hume one of the few truly significant political figures to understand the unique character of our murals and their historical importance.

We are running a new exhibition at the gallery covering the Troubles. All are welcome. The gallery is now becoming a major art venue in Derry if not the North West and a landmark in the city. Situated right beside our People’s Gallery it is a must-visit for anybody interested in history, art, humanity, justice, freedom of expression and truth.