An Lon Dubh ar an Bhalla Binne

To mark the 65th anniversary of Derry Credit Union, founded on October 16, 1960, the Board of Directors commissioned a commemorative mural for the Claudy sub-office. This initiative celebrates not only the credit union’s legacy but also the successful 2021 merger between Derry Credit Union and Claudy Credit Union. The chosen theme, “Together,” reflects the unity and shared values that define the credit union movement.

Staff and management embraced the proverb “birds of a feather flock together” to symbolize loyalty, mutual support, respect, and community—core principles of credit unions. Inspired by the rural setting and the frequent presence of blackbirds in nearby hedgerows, the team selected the blackbird as the mural’s central figure. This choice also pays homage to Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, whose poetry often featured the blackbird, notably in “St Kevin and the Blackbird” and “The Blackbird of Glanmore.”

Local artist @_peaball was commissioned to bring the concept to life, and the result is a vibrant, imaginative interpretation of the credit union logo. In the mural, branches and a nest cradle a blackbird and her fledglings, mirroring the supportive hands in the credit union emblem that represent the global network of credit unions and the people they serve.

This artwork stands as a tribute to community spirit and shared purpose, and we hope it brings joy and inspiration to our members and visitors in Claudy for years to come.