Belfast museum part of ‘social and cultural renaissance’ in city

Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill has said Belfast is undergoing a “social and cultural renaissance” as the Roddy McCorley Republican heritage centre reopens following a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

A number of Sinn Fein representatives including former party president Gerry Adams and Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy attended the reopening event on Thursday.

The Roddy McCorley Republican heritage centre is operated by the Roddy McCorley society, which was founded in West Belfast in 1972.

The museum hosts a collection of artefacts and memorabilia curated by the society over the past 40 years, documenting the Republican history of Belfast.

The newly refurbished heritage centre now also hosts a bar and restaurant.

Speaking at the reopening, Ms O’Neill said the heritage centre was embedded in the community.

She added: “I think what’s really the success of the centre itself has been the fact that it’s been so embraced by the local community itself, like it’s embedded in the local community itself.

“And the community of West Belfast remains as strong now as it did back in 1972 whenever you were formed.”

Ms O’Neill said the museum played a part in the “social and cultural renaissance” taking place across communities in Belfast.

“Whenever I think about the centre, this magnificent centre, I think it now symbolises the progress and the transformation in the community, in this anniversary year as we celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement,” she said.

“So the museum here is quite special. It’s certainly unique.

“Firstly, because of the collection of artefacts, memorabilia, it’s so extensive, but also because it’s curated by the society itself – which captures the complexity and the experience of struggle since the foundation of Irish Republicanism itself.

“It charts the historic relationship between Ireland and Britain through colonialism, partition political division, and then the contemporary era of the peace process of the 1990s and the changing political landscape that’s now emerging.

“And whenever I reflect on just society generally now I think that there’s something of a social and cultural renaissance taking place across parts of the city including East Belfast, where there, the cultural richness of the Irish language is being reclaimed through tours, classes, and more, with cultural connections now being made to the Gaeltacht quarter in the West.

“The fine Republican philosophy of Wolfe Tone in uniting Catholic, Protestant and dissenter is being rediscovered, and now any weekend you can take yourself along to one of the 1798 tours in town.

“Our own Tom Hartley, in the room, also continues to showcase his writings and cemetery tours – The history of Belfast – and has done incredible work to help us to understand the radical role played by Presbyterians in all of this.”

She added: “I think this represents a new Belfast, being true to its past yet also moving forward, inclusive of new communities, new cultures, and the rainbow of colours that now make up this great city.”

Mr Murphy said the heritage centre was “a shining example of what a positive community and neighbourhood regeneration project looks like”.

“We aren’t afraid to talk about the past, but crucially we do it as we look to the future,” he said.

To a Belfast which has a unique tapestry made up of various strands of culture, language, history and heritage.

“A Belfast where people are proud of where they came from.

“A Belfast where people have the space and a place to be able to tell their story.”

Chair and director of the Roddy McCorley Society, David McGivern, said the refurbished centre was the “physical manifestation” of the members’ dreams.

“This beautiful space we now call our own is a testament to the dedication, hard work and unwavering support of many individuals and organisations,” he said.

“It represents not only bricks and mortar, but a living testament to the collective commitment and unyielding perseverance of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and a common purpose.”

He added: “The new development will boost the local economy, it will create jobs and training opportunities and showcase the unique heritage of the surrounding area.”

The Roddy McCorley heritage centre is situated on the Glen Road in West Belfast.