New sculpture unveiled at Grand Central station made from dismantled parts of Boyne Bridge

A new sculpture outside Belfast’s Grand Central Station made from parts of the dismantled Boyne Bridge has been unveiled.

The 400-year-old bridge near Sandy Row – which was rebuilt in 1936 – was dismantled in 2024 to make way for the multi-million-pound transport hub.

The new artwork, entitled ‘Reflections’, was designed by Golden Thread Gallery and fabricated by Northern Ireland artist Kevin Killen.

The artwork incorporates original sections of the Boyne Bridge, celebrating Belfast’s engineering heritage while responding directly to community calls to reuse meaningful materials. 

It was designed and displayed in conjunction with a schools‑led public art programme ‘When Walls Speak Welcome’ which features murals designed by local schoolchildren and facilitated by more than 30 street artists.

It was delivered by Translink in partnership with Daisychain, part‑funded by Arts & Business NI and BT.

Over 3,000 young people were involved in the mural activity from seven local schools.

The murals feature around the new Saltwater Square outside Grand Central, where the new nine-metre-tall sculpture forms the centrepiece.  

The unveiling event brought together the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Tracy Kelly, Translink CEO Chris Conway, elected representatives, community groups, artists and young people, alongside the launch of When Walls Speak Welcome – a schools‑led public art programme creating a shared welcome to the city through large‑scale murals at the station and officially marking the hidden and well known stories of the local area also captured on the walls. 

Designed as a landmark gateway feature, Reflections signals arrival into a city shaped by its industrial past and confidently looking ahead. The artwork incorporates original sections of the previous Boyne Bridge, combined with contemporary mirror‑polished steel, symbolising innovation, connection and renewal. 

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said that the opening of Saltwater Square and the unveiling of the sculpture “acknowledges the history of this area while looking ahead to its future.”

“By reusing elements of the former Boyne Bridge, the artwork reflects the past as this new public space takes shape,” she said.

“Saltwater Square will play an important role as part of the city’s transport hub and the wider regeneration of Belfast.”   

Golden Thread Gallery’s Co-Directors Peter Richards and Sarah McAvera, said: “In Reflections, carefully restored industrial steel meets its mirrored future, bound by a golden seam.

“Its use of the Japanese principle of Kintsugi – repairing broken materials to create strength and beauty – speaks directly to Belfast’s story of resilience and regeneration.

“Drawing from the outcomes of Translink’s programme of community consultation, the artwork reflects themes of innovation, heritage, connection and civic pride. The union of historic riveting and polished steel invites you to see yourself reflected in Belfast’s evolution.” 

Speaking at the event, Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of Translink, said: “Arts and heritage play a defining role at Grand Central Station and across the surrounding public realm at Saltwater Square.

“Reflections is a powerful symbol of Belfast – honouring our industrial heritage while celebrating the people, creativity and ambition shaping the city today. Positioned at one of NI’s most important gateways, it creates a strong sense of arrival and a warm welcome for everyone travelling through Belfast Grand Central Station.”