The famous handshake between the Queen and Martin McGuinness, as well as Liam Neeson receiving the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena, are just two of many iconic moments that have taken place in National Lottery-funded arts buildings, as the draw celebrates 30 years.
Since the first National Lottery draw in November 1994, more than £217m of funding has been invested into almost 10,000 cultural projects here, with an arts building now within 20 miles of every person in Northern Ireland.
Those buildings which have benefited include Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, which hosted the famous 2012 Diamond Jubilee visit of the late Queen Elizabeth II where she shook hands with the then Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister for the first time.
The theatre, which has been a home for creativity and performing arts for almost 75 years, has launched many actors, playwrights and poets to the international stage such as the Schindler’s List star Neeson and Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar.
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In 2011, the building was revamped thanks to investment of over £2m from the National Lottery Fund.
The Taken actor, meanwhile, received his Freedom of the Borough award in Ballymena’s Braid Arts Centre, also funded by National Lottery players across the UK.
Elsewhere, thanks to National Lottery funding, the Playhouse Theatre in Co Londonderry unveiled its new look with support from £1.1m 15 years ago.
The arts centre is located in the heart of Derry city and sees over 100,000 visitors pass through its doors every year.
For 30 years, draws have been raising money for various aspects of community life, including sport, heritage, community and art — 9,680 investments in Northern Irish arts projects have been facilitated by the Arts Council.
Other investments over the decades have included Niall O’Neill’s bronze Fishing Boat on Portstewart Promenade and Maurice Harron’s ‘Let the Dance Begin’ in Strabane.
A spokesperson from the Arts Council said: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, one of four distributors of National Lottery funding in Northern Ireland, attributes that to money raised for good causes through National Lottery ticket sales.
“Iconic arts buildings like the Grand Opera House in Belfast, Marketplace Theatre in Armagh, Alley Arts Centre in Strabane, Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and The Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena have all benefited from National Lottery investment.”
Chief executive Roisin McDonough, added: “When we go to a theatre, read a book by a local author, or see a great work of art, often it’s National Lottery funding which has helped to take a creative idea and turn it into a reality. Every person living in Northern Ireland now has access to a dedicated arts facility within a 20-mile radius of their home.
“Working in partnership with local councils, across government departments and with private trusts and foundations, these places now lie at the heart of our communities, enriching all our lives.”