Look beyond ‘us and them’ academic urges Ballymena

Keynote Speaker, Dr Johnston McMaster, an experienced professional on links between history, politics and theological ethics, made his plea at the opening of the ‘Shared History, Divided Allegiances’ exhibition at the Mid-Antrim Museum last week.

Dr McMaster commented:“I am particularly delighted to open this exhibition today and commend it. I hope the public both enjoy it and learn from it. History always has diverse interpretations.

“In a contested society it is always so and it is normal. There is no simple ‘us and them’, but a complex diversity of interpretations, allegiances and identities. The decade 1912-1922 and its events shaped Ireland for the rest of the 20th century and still casts a shadow into the 21st century.”

The exhibition was formally launched at The Braid Ballymena Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre by Councillor Mrs Beth Adger, Deputy Mayor, who said: “During September last year, myself and a group of cross party Councillors visited the exhibition in Belfast and were so impressed with it that we felt we had to bring it to Ballymena.”

On loan from Belfast City Council, the exhibition looks at the people and events of one hundred years ago and focuses on the unfolding political crisis in Ulster during the years 1912-1914 and sits in context with other significant issues of the day, such as Labour Relations, Women’s Suffrage Movement, Home Rule and the run up to the First World War.

Ballymena Borough Council has developed additional content to complement the Exhibition which will provide an insight into pivotal local events in the mid-Antrim area which reflected the high tensions and uncertainty of the time.

This Exhibition is part of a wider programme of events which Council is delivering to commemorate the period 1912-1914.

Council hopes the innovative programme of events reflects, in a balanced way, the Shared History of this period. Our aim is to further enhance our cultural diversity and further embed our Good Relations ethos throughout the Borough as we all work together to create “A Shared Space – A Neighbourly Place” for all.

The Exhibition was brought to The Braid with additional funding by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister through Council’s Good Relations Unit. Council acknowledges and thanks the Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Dublin, and the Linen Hall Library, Belfast, for the generous loan of additional items.

During the official opening ceremony, Mrs Anne Donaghy, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, commented: “We in Ballymena are committed to collectively learning from the past, in order to create, a thriving Borough, where good relations is promoted and cultural diversity and inclusivity is celebrated and actively encouraged.

“Through Ballymena Borough Council’s Corporate and Good Relations Strategies we are committed to showing strong visionary civic leadership to ensure Ballymena stays ‘A Shared Space and a Neighbourly Place’ for all. A place where there is a visible expression of diversity through arts, culture, heritage and sports. This Exhibition very much brings our vision to life.”

The Exhibition can be viewed at Mid-Antrim Museum, The Braid, from Saturday 9 March to Wednesday 26 June 2013. Free admission. For further details, please contact The Braid Ballymena Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre, on (028) 2563 5900 or website http://www.thebraid.com/museum.

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