An artist whose sculpture was stolen from outside a Belfast library two years ago has said she is “very happy” the piece of art is set to be returned to its plinth in the new year.
Italian artist Daniela Balmaverde was left “devastated” when her sculpture – based on a 9th century Irish language verse – was removed from its display spot in the grounds of Ormeau Library in November 2023.
The stainless steel piece, which was first erected in 2011 and weighs around 70 kilos, was wrenched from the plinth in an overnight theft believed to have required at least two people to carry out.
A month later it was recovered thanks to a Belfast antique dealer who acquired it from a scrap metal merchant he had previously not dealt with.
The dealer returned the sculpture to Libraries NI, but earlier this year the Irish News reported on frustrations that the artwork was “gathering dust” instead of being returned to public display.
The delay has been blamed on damage caused to the plinth by the theft, but now repairs are nearing completion, the sculpture could be back on display within weeks.
Artist Daniela Balmaverde with SDLP councillor Gary McKeown (left) and Libraries NI chief executive Jim O’Hagan
Ms Balmaverde, who is based in south Belfast but is originally from Turin, welcomed news the artwork would once again become a fixture of the Ormeau Road area.
It was inspired by a short Irish language verse from the 9th century, known as The Blackbird of Belfast Lough and later translated by Seamus Heaney.
A blackbird has since been used in artwork to promote the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University.
Ms Balmaverde created the sculpture, depicting a woman and a bird reading a book, as part of a cross-community project to celebrate the Ormeau area’s diversity.
“A lot of people have been in touch with me since the theft to say how much they associated the piece not only with the library, but with the Ormeau Road itself, and that they have missed its presence – it was quite well recognised,” she told the Irish News.
“I’m very happy that it will very soon be returned to public display. We were very lucky to get it back after it was stolen.
“I believe there needs to be some repair work completed on the plinth, and once that’s completed, it can go back up.”
South Belfast SDLP councillor Gary McKeown said he was “delighted” that the sculpture would finally be removed from storage.
“The necessary metalwork repairs have been done to the piece, and it is now ready for reinstallation by specialist stonemasons,” he said.
“It’s two years since it was first stolen, and I’ve been working with Daniela to keep momentum up on getting it put back in its rightful place.
“This has taken longer than we would have hoped, but we’ve been advised that it should be on display again soon.”
He added: “This particular piece of art holds a special place for the local community as Ormeau Road Library is a real focal point for the area and is heavily used by people of all generations, so there’ll be a great degree of relief and joy when it is back where it belongs.”
A Libraries NI spokesperson said it has “continued to work closely with the original artist and specialist contractors to ensure the piece is fully restored and reinstated”.
“A new capstone for the plinth is currently being crafted by a stonemason, and further specialist work, including core drilling to safely hold the sculpture, will follow,” they said.
“We expect the sculpture to be returned to its rightful place early in the new year. We appreciate the public’s interest and look forward to the ‘Blackbird of Belfast Lough’ once again being a prominent feature at the library.”