The North’s first black mayor has told of her delight after being presented with a gift that showcases her as one of the official Derry Girls, and another that raises money for her chosen charity.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, received a personalised portrait, mug and greeting card from her “thoughtful” friends and neighbours, George and Caoimhe Houten.
One shows her in front of the Free Derry mural, which in the picture has been edited to say: “You are now an original Derry Girl.”
Her caricature has also been placed in the middle of the cast of the hit Channel 4 sitcom, while the greeting card shows another comic version of the SDLP councillor with the words: “You Really Set The BARR”.
The quirky gifts were created by Derry business Ferry Clever, which is owned by graphic designer Christopher Ferry.
The entrepreneur designed the mug and framed picture as specially-personalised presents that Ms Seenoi-Barr’s next door neighbour requested, while the card is available to purchase from the shop online and in-store.
Ms Seenoi-Barr said the items “confirmed what she always knew in my heart — that I am a real Derry girl”.
The first citizen arrived in the Derry area 14 years ago as a refugee from Kenya, and made history last week after becoming Northern Ireland’s first black mayor, and only the third on the island of Ireland.
“My friend went to Christopher Ferry to get the frame and he thought of ordering the cup too,” she explained.
“Chris had already done up the card as he said he wanted to do that to celebrate me.
“He thought it was a massive achievement for me and he wanted to celebrate that.
“He is so creative and I understand that the card is currently in high demand. He sold out and is creating new ones now.”
Ms Seenoi-Barr, who has been a councillor for the Foyleside ward since 2021 when she was co-opted by the SDLP to replace Mary Durkan after she quit the party, visited Mr Ferry this week to thank him for his artwork.
He also confirmed that all proceeds from his ‘Barr’ greeting cards will be donated to BUD Club, the mayor’s chosen charity for this year.
The Derry and Strabane-based organisation provides a safe, engaging and educational space for young people with disabilities and additional needs.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” added Ms Seenoi-Barr.
“We had a lovely chat and I just thought, what an amazing and generous young man Chris Ferry is.
“He’s going to use that to raise money and donate all the proceeds to my charity. I thought it was such a kind thing to do.”
She also told of her appreciation for her friends, the Houtens, who “wanted to show me their support and to impress upon me that I am a Derry girl”.
“It’s incredible,” she added.
“I’ve always known in my heart I am a Derry girl. To see now that everyone is actually impressing that upon me and putting my face on things that mean so much to the city, as a gesture, that means so much to me.
“It makes me want to do more, and makes me even more determined that our city and district is shown in a positive light. That’s what Derry is all about.
“It’s about bringing people together and celebrating everyone.
“Derry is like a community. First of all, everybody knows everyone.
“It makes it even easier for people to get to know each other, and there’s that intimacy, whereby when something great happens, everybody wants to celebrate it, and if something bad happens, we want to wrap our arms around people with support.”
Mr Ferry said that Barr greeting cards will be sold on the Ferry Clever website in a pack of five for £20.
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