The Beacon of Hope

I love a big bit of public art, and Nuala with the hula as it’s know locally is one of my favourites. It’s pretty popular with photographers too as barely an hour goes by without someone trying to capture the perfect shot of her.
The whole area alongside has been nicely landscaped and provides a relaxing riverside walk down towards the Waterfront Hall. It is also part of the National Cycle Network, so be careful if you’ve your eye glued to the camera and watch out for cyclists speeding by.
Also keep a look out for free-​runners, some of which use this area for training. In fact, take a seat and just watch, as they will blow your mind (unless they fall!).

this is a funny sculpture it looks like something from the olympics.

A tall (17m) statue by the renowned Scottish artist Andy Scott of a woman of steel and bronze standing next to the Queen’s Bridge over the River Lagan. She holds the ‘Ring of Thanksgiving’ above her head and stands on a globe which represents a unified approach to life on earth. The aim of this sculpture is to bring people together and to work towards a peaceful existence for all. A wonderful landmark and a ‘must see’ when you’re in Belfast!

I had no idea this was called ‘the beacon of hope’. I had been calling it ‘the thing with the ring’ for years as far as I am aware there are other local nicknames… none appropriate to mention.
Its nice that Belfast is willing to display art like this as it is a symbol for peace. Its a darn site better than the one sided murals all over the city.
I have nothing else to say about this other than its a great spectacle right there beside the river lagan… good one you Belfast city council… lets have more!!!

I love this big girl she is tall, skinny, pretty and good with her hands, what more could a city want?
In all seriousness I think this is an excellent addition to Belfast’s waterline and it represents a new cultural awakening for a City that has too long been battling to overcome the past. She faces the City and looks over us. I recently saw loads of tourists getting photo’s with her and this is what it is all about. They will now go home and learn the significance of the sculpture.
It won an award in 2006 for being the best sculpture in Belfast and I could not agree more with this. Long may it continue receiving such accolades.

I’m quite fond of oul Nuala With The Hoola. I went on one of those Belfast sightseeing buses once with a mate who was visiting Belfast for the first time, and there was a definite ripple of appreciation from the fellow passengers when the Doll On The Ball was explained. She looks pretty nifty too, unlike some of our other publicly-​commissioned sculptures (see: Spire of Hope and the Big Fish).
But, as Nick points out, I for one, while always happy to see more artsy stuff around the city, am a bit tired of all this hope and peace and lalala theming. It’s the same as local TV — thousands put into stereotypical nonsense like Give My Head Peace when I know so many people who could produce something a hundred times better for a thousandth of the cost, if just given the chance to do it. And no, I don’t mean me — I really do think the millions put into arts in this city needs to be far more democratically allocated.
So we like oul Nuala, but think the powers that be should really think about moving on.

So …‘The Beacon of Hope’ Well, what do you call her? Personally my favourite nickname is ‘Nuala with the hula’ though other locals call her ‘The thing with the ring’ or ‘the doll with the ball’ or ‘the belle on the ball’. Whatever you want to call her, I love her, I think she’s a great idea from Belfast.
Nuala signifies the universal philosophy of peace, harmony and thanksgiving (symbolised by the globe at her feet and the hoop in her hands) She’s a lovely sight to see at the neck of Belfast Lough. At her feet are marked the various cities that Belfast people and industries migrate and export to
Built in 2007 by local artist Andy Scott she stands at 64 foot tall and made out of steel. The actual sculpture was made in Newtownabbey by the company P. F Copeland. The bronze globe was cast by Beltane Studios.
Go check her out. She’s a lovely symbol of the peace we’re building toward in Northern Ireland.
Also, if you get a chance, listen to the song ‘Lady of the Lagan’ by the wonderful Ursula Burns, I feel this song perfectly describes the situation in Belfast. Its a beautiful song.