Translink Press Release
Monday 10th August 2026
Community Leaves Its Mark on Marino Station
More than 50 local people rolled up their sleeves this week to help create a permanent piece of public art for Marino Train Station, transforming hundreds of colourful mosaic tiles into a lasting community legacy.
The artwork forms part of Translink's Marino Station Access Ramp Project, which has delivered a new step-free access ramp and enhanced lighting between Station Road and the Bangor-bound platform, significantly improving accessibility and safety for passengers.
Alongside these improvements, Translink has worked with local schools, community organisations and residents over the past six months to ensure the station reflects the community it serves. Their ideas, memories and aspirations inspired artist’s final design - and this week the community quite literally helped bring it to life.
Conal McKernon, Project Manager for the Marino Station Access Ramp Project at Translink, said "The Marino Station Access Ramp Project has delivered important accessibility improvements for our passengers, making the station easier and safer to use. Just as importantly, we've worked closely with the local community throughout the project to ensure the station reflects the people and place it serves. It has been fantastic to see that engagement culminate in a community-created artwork that will welcome passengers for many years to come."
The workshops are the latest stage in Translink's wider programme of community engagement, which has included consultation with local schools, community groups, and residents throughout the delivery of the access ramp project.
Hosted at Holywood Old School, the free workshops welcomed children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and neighbours, all working side by side under the guidance of Holywood-born, internationally acclaimed mosaic and glass artist Helen McClean.
Throughout the day, tables filled with mosaic pieces became places where conversations flourished. Families created artwork together, friends met neighbours they had never spoken to before, and children proudly worked alongside parents and grandparents, creating an atmosphere that was every bit as colourful as the artwork itself.
For Helen, returning to Holywood to lead the workshops made the project especially meaningful.
Helen McLean said, "Watching people of every age create something together for their own community has been the most rewarding part of this project."
The workshops were organised by Boom! Studios and made possible through support from the Arts & Business NI Investment Programme, demonstrating how creativity can bring communities together while leaving a lasting legacy.
Brona Whittaker, Chief Executive of Arts & Business NI, said "The Marino Station Access Ramp Project is a wonderful example of how embedding arts alongside infrastructure investment can create benefits that extend well beyond the physical works. By bringing together Translink, Boom! Studios, Helen McClean, and the local community, this project has created opportunities for people to shape the place they use every day. Through our Investment Programme, we're proud to support creative partnerships that strengthen communities, encourage participation and leave a lasting legacy."
For many who took part, the opportunity to contribute to something that will remain part of Marino for generations was what made the day so memorable.
Claire Greene, Marino community member who attended the workshops, said "It was such a joyful day and so special to know that every time I pass through Marino Station, I'll be able to say, 'I helped create that.'"
Once completed, the mosaic will become a permanent feature of the Marino Station Access Ramp Project, welcoming passengers arriving at the station and celebrating the people and place that inspired it.
ENDS