Lyra McKee was shot and killed in April 2019 while observing a riot in Creggan, Derry (BBC). A tribute in Belfast city centre was painted by Emmalene Blake during Hit The North (in May). The piece survived fairly well for a few years (here is a 2022 image) before being repainted with a flat blue background in 2025, which in turn had to be repainted in 2026 (for before and after images see 2026). People have taken to placing stickers with positive messages on top of the graffiti that immediately began to accumulate, such as “You did so well today”, “Fuck being average”, and “Never lose your sparkle”.
repainted during this year’s (2026) Hit The North.
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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Paddy Duffy Collection 