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The museum chronicles all the key events from August 1972-May 2007 in the evolution of the conflict and peace process.
An immersive experience which recreates the atmosphere of the protest riots that occurred in the Bogside from the late 1969’s to the 1990’s.
False Dawns: This section looks at short lived peace initiatives such as the 1974 power sharing experiment and the 1975 IRA ceasefire.
Politics in Deep Freeze: This section explores the British governments various security responses to the IRA’s new ‘Long War’ Strategy and John Hume’s attempts to involve the US and European Community in attempts to resolve the conflict.
The story of the protests against the criminalization of Republican prisoners including the Hunger Strikes of 1980/81 and their role in both prolonging the conflict and moving Republicans into electoral politics.
This section also Includes a replica H-Block cell and footage of former prisoners recounting their involvement in the protests.
Armalite and ballot box: Exploring Sinn Feins growth following the Hunger Strikes and the response of both governments through the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
This section also explores the early talks between the Irish government, Sinn Féin and John Hume which created the context for the emerging peace process.
Nationalist consensus and the US connection: This section explores the evolving Hume/Adams talks process, the response of the two governments through the Downing Street Declaration and the influence of Irish America and the US government in securing the 1994 ceasefire.
No Guns No Government: This section explores the response of Sinn Féin and John Hume to the lack of all-party talks, the collapse of the IRA ceasefire and attempts to revive the peace process following the election of new British and Irish governments.
Towards the Good Friday Agreement: This section explores the 1997-98 talks process leading to the Good Friday Agreement.
This feature explains the key components of the Good Friday Agreement and how these various elements addressed the key issues which created the conflict.
A Stop-Start process: This section explores the key issues which prevented the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the unilateral 2005 IRA initiative to revive the process and the appointment of Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley as Joint First Ministers in the restored power sharing government.
Principles of Remembering
The Museum has been developed using the Principles of Remembering in a Public Space. The Principles for Remembering in a Public Space were developed by the Community Relations Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to ensure stories told in a public space are thoughtful, inclusive and challenging. The Principles are: • Start from the historical facts. • Recognise the implications and consequences of what happened. • Understand that different perceptions and interpretations exist. • Show how events and activities can deepen understanding of the period. • All to be seen in the context of an inclusive and accepting society.
Audio Visual Exhibits & Artefacts
The museum includes a range of displays focussing on the role played by local women and young people in moving society forward as well as insights into women’s rights, trade unionism, LGBTQ+ experience and culture and sport in the community. All of these are complemented by a unique range of installations focussing on the evolution of Free Derry Wall, the iconic Rossville Flats, a replica H-Block prison cell from the prison protest period and the interior of a typical house from the 1970’s. The ‘Street Flighting Years’ cinema room also features original footage from local street riots throughout the conflict period. The museum also includes rare artefacts including peace process documents, listening devices, smuggled communications from the prison protest period and much more. A range of audio-visual screens include short films featuring local residents relating their memories of the period and a huge selection of archive images reflecting local events during the conflict and peace process. The grounds of the museum also features an original British Army sangar (originally located at the former Ebrington British Army Barracks in Derry) which visitors can use for photographs. The museum gives visitors a chance to learn about what life was like living in this area during years of armed conflict combined with the efforts of local figures to resolve the conflict at an international level. It is a must visit for anyone who wants to learn how the longest modern conflict in Europe was resolved.
