A Co Down village famous for its chocolate inventor and football scoring records has been awarded an artistic grant to revitalise the locality.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has now signed off on a grant of £6,750 to Killyleagh Development Association to create a unique mural design in the village.
Speculation over the pending art work could see homage paid to the likes of Killyleagh born milk chocolate inventor, Sir Hans Sloane and Northern Ireland's record goalscorer David Healy.
Read more: Inventions you didn't know came from Northern Irish minds.
Rowallane councillor, Terry Andrews (SDLP) said: "Killyleagh has a very rich history all the way back to the 1600s.
"Killyleagh can claim the likes of Sir Hans Sloane the inventor of milk chocolate and the founder of the British museum, Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and in more modern times, Northern Ireland record goal scorer David Healy.
"There have been previous murals in the town and they have attracted a lot of media attention in the past with my own grandparents being interviewed at the time on the impact of the artwork for local people.
"It is good to see the grant being delivered, which I have no doubt will bring a new mural that will be very much welcomed in the community."
The design, which has yet to be disclosed to the public, is expected to draw new tourism interest into the historical Co Down village.
Fellow DEA councillor, David Lee-Surginor (Alliance) said: “The mural painted will celebrate and capture the town’s past, present, and future and revitalise the residents and the Killyleagh community.
"It will attract new tourists and visitors alike into the town boosting the economy of the area, as it will tie in brilliantly with the Killyleagh Digital Heritage Trail.
"It will also add value to the neighbourhood by having the local participants taking part, own their work, to have a sense of place and belonging, all the while also encouraging civic dialogue about how Killyleagh has evolved over the years.
"As a Rowallane councillor, I am so proud of the people of Killyleagh and for them to have an opportunity for a mural that will reflect their strong passion, dedication and creativeness for all things Killyleagh is amazing.”
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