Back in 2016, I struggled to photograph the Sweet Water Arch due to intense rain, which also forced me to abandon my exploration of the area. This year, I encountered similar weather, but thankfully, better rain gear and a more robust camera allowed me to spend a good two hours in the vicinity.

The name, Sweet Water Arch, is a direct translation from the Irish for the area, ‘An Srúthan Milís’, meaning ‘sweet stream’.

You’ll find the sculpture in the car park next to the Lyric Theatre, opposite Governor’s Bridge and across the road from Stranmillis College.

The arch symbolises several local connections: it links the communities on both sides of the river, represents the theatrical ties with the Lyric Theatre, and embodies the flow of the river itself. It also incorporates design elements from the frontage of Stranmillis College, which was designed by Charles Lanyon. It’s often suggested that the chair within the sculpture symbolises the college as a seat of learning. I also spotted a pair of oars – I wonder if there’s a rowing club nearby?

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