Peace Tree unveiled in Ebrington Square

A sculpture in tribute to Ireland’s largest youth-led peace event has been launched in Ebrington Square, featuring peace pledges by pupils from more than 400 schools.

The Amazing the Space Peace Pledge Tree, a seven-metre high sculpture by local artist Maurice Harron, has leaves containing pledges penned by students across Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.

The tree sculpture was designed to be a permanent reminder of the work of young people involved in peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland’s Amazing the Space project.

The project, which launched in 2016, came from an idea by Rev Dr David Latimer. The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, attended the event in 2017 and 2018, when participating schools reunited to reaffirm their pledges and share their peace building experiences.

The tree sculpture in Ebrington Square, funded by The Executive Office, was launched by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling, in association with the Amazing the Space programme and the local Pathway to Peace initiative, headed up by Rev Latimer.