On Wednesday 30th September, the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association (A.E.L.A) boarded the 1951 Leyland Tiger, named ‘The Little Red Bus’, beautifully restored by local entrepreneur Ciarán Devine of Derry City Bus Tours, alongside Derry-Shrove artist, Eileen McLaughlin of Emick Creative, to unveil a stunning new artwork honouring Amelia Earhart that is taking pride of place in the Amelia Earhart Lounge at City of Derry Airport. The thought-provoking piece from Emick Creative was developed following a collaboration between Eileen McLaughlin and Geraldine Mullan of the Mullan Hope Centre on a piece marking what would have been Geraldine’s late daughter Amelia’s birthday. This opened the door to discussions with the Amelia Earhart Ladies, inspiring the idea of a piece to celebrate the life and legacy of Amelia Earhart.
Commenting on the new artwork, Eileen McLaughlin said: “I was so inspired by Amelia’s story and impressed by the work and dedication of the volunteers at the A.E.L.A. I also wanted to illustrate the connection between America and Ireland, Amelia as a person, and her wealth of positivity. The design reflects her journey: the Atlantic waves behind her, the green fields of Ireland below, and her aircraft transformed into a compass pointing toward freedom and exploration. And though she vanished into the Pacific sky, her spirit lives on — in the movement of the sea, in the endless horizon, and in the solitary seagull flying freely above the waves, a quiet symbol of a soul still travelling. Her legacy survives in every person who dares to venture beyond fear and chase what lies beyond the horizon. It is important to have a balance in art. We must acknowledge the past, but we must live with hope for the future.”
The artwork will now take pride of place in the Amelia Earhart Lounge at City of Derry Airport. The print will be displayed in the lounge along with equally beautiful bespoke cushions designed by Emick Creative. We were thrilled to arrive in style to the Airport today in Ciaran’s ‘Little Red Bus’, named after Amelia’s Red Lockheed Vega plane. The entire A.E.L.A group are delighted with the piece from Eileen at Emick Creative which tells the story of Amelia Earhart’s landing in the Northwest so beautifully.
Also commenting was the Managing Director at City of Derry Airport,Steve Frazer who added, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association, who we regularly work in partnership with, Ciarán Devine of Derry City Bus Tours, and of course, Eileen McLaughlin of Emick Creative, to celebrate the unveiling of her striking new Amelia Earhart piece. The project underpins the importance of collaboration, and working in partnership within our local region, as we continue to support the growth of Amelia Earhart tourism in the Northwest.”
A.E.L.A is a voluntary community group formed by local women based in Derry~Londonderry whose mission is to keep the story of Amelia Earhart alive and promote the global success story of the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic, landing in Derry~Londonderry on 21st May 1932. The Association works with local businesses, the educational sector and tourism bodies.
