Changing of a Nation exhibition opens at Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle

“The Changing of a Nation” exhibition was formally opened at Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle, on Friday, 10 September 2021 by the Chair of  Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson.

Speaking about the exhibition, Councillor Thompson said;

“The decade between 1912 and 1922 featured many important moments in our shared history.

The changes on the island of Ireland in 1921 as a consequence of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, was a reflection of a tumultuous period which saw great political and social changes taking place not only at home but also across Europe, coming as it did so soon after the end of the first world war.

“The Changing of a Nation” exhibition explores some of these events of 100 years ago through objects, photographs and documents from the time and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted to be afforded the opportunity to host the event in the wonderful surroundings of Fermanagh County Museum at Enniskillen Castle.”

The major touring exhibition has been organised by the Tower Museum, Derry City & Strabane District Council. It is part of the Understanding the Decade of Commemorations project, supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is match-funded by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Council Archivist at The Tower Museum, Bernadette Walsh said:

“The Tower Museum staff were delighted that Fermanagh County Museum was interested in borrowing the touring exhibition which also includes some objects and archives from the collections.  It was an exhibition that enabled us to work with a variety of partners including the Nerve Centre to engage the local community.”

“The Changing of a Nation” has been developed to incorporate objects and stories relating to the Fermanagh and Omagh area. In addition, the exhibition sees a continuation of partnership-working with colleagues from Monaghan County Museum through the inclusion of artefacts generously lent from their collections. Through community engagement and social media, individuals have also come forward to kindly contribute to the display.

The exhibition is an integral part of the understanding the Decade of Commemorations (1912-1922/3). The exhibition highlights the political, economic and wider societal impacts of the events of this complex period in a bid to provide an enhanced understanding of the impact of war, political upheaval and institutional change within the island of Ireland. From a local perspective, the exhibition focuses on flashpoints including the Burning of Roslea village, the Clones Affray and events in the Belleek and Pettigo area.

“The Changing of a Nation” is a key feature of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s NI2021 Events Programme.  It runs at Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle until 5 February 2022. It will then transfer to the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh. Throughout its display, the exhibition will be the focus for local personal stories recorded though the Council’s Digital Remembering Initiative.  This Initiative is supported by the Shared History Fund distributed by The National Lottery Fund on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.