Almost £3 million has been confirmed for the establishment of a “Peace Process Museum” in Derry’s Bogside.
The grant aid (£2.8m), from the Department for Communities, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the National Lottery, will be used to build the new museum in an extension to the city’s Gasyard Centre.
News of the grant aid was welcomed by the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation. A spokesman said the museum would be a “valuable resource” for the people of Derry and beyond.
The spokesman said the museum would chronicle the evolution of the Troubles from August 1972 as well as the role played in the peace process by former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, Nobel Peace laureate John Hume and former Sinn Féin Stormont Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin. It will also feature testimony and memories of the Troubles from local people.
“The foundation believes that the museum will be an important addition to the city, providing a space for education, reflection and engagement with the history of the conflict and the ongoing peace process.
“The creation of new jobs as part of the project is also very welcome news,” the spokesman said.
The new museum will be match-funded by Derry city and Strabane district council and will include a community café, an enlarged reception at the Gasyard Centre, meeting rooms and an outdoor space which can be used for events.
The museum will be one of a number of similar facilities in the area, including the Museum of Free Derry, Aras Cholmcille centre and the Apprentice Boys’ Siege Museum.
