Must See Museums

The Ulster American Folk Park, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum and Ulster Museum are hosting an array of interesting exhibits and events throughout the summer to recognise historical anniversaries amongst other celebrations.

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America. Showing authentic Ulster cottages baking soda bread to the unique experience of stepping of a ship and into the New World. Visitors can hear personal stories from locals who left their homes for new lives.

The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum there will be a screening of the Battle of the Somme on 3^rd July, a black and white silent film watched by almost half the British population in 1916 in the hopes that they would be able to spot their loved ones.

From 2 – 4 July visitors at the Ulster American Folk Park can participate in the celebrations of American Independence as 2016 marks the 240th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. The festival will host re-enactments from the American War of Independence with an opportunity to ‘meet the troops’ as well as live music, traditional Punch and Judy shows, food-tasting and American games.

For the Folk Park’s 40th Birthday the museum will transport visitors back to the early 1800s with horse and cart rides and classic games like hopscotch. With fire juggler, dodge stilt walks and a travelling magician, it’s set to be an exciting day. Tennessee’s Urban Pioneers will be bringing the music and there will also be candle-dipping and a scavenger trail, making it fun for all the family.

At the end of summer, the Folk Park will host Bluegrass Music Festival from 2 – 4 September. Outside North America, Bluegrass is one of the biggest music events and draws huge names. With thousands of people from all over Ireland and the UK set to attend, the popular ‘party in the park’ will run over the whole weekend. There will be three bands from the USA, one from Canada, three from Europe and six from Ireland, with the headliners being Band of Ruhks, featuring the renowned Ronnie Bowman, Don Rigby and Kenny Smith. Other US bands performing are Corn Potato String Band – a trio including Aaron Jonah Lewis, Aaron Jonah Lewis and Ben Belcher. US Fiddle and banjo duo with a sense of adventure – Betse and Clarke – will also be performing during the weekend.

Capri Car Club Day will take place on 24^th July, displaying vintage, classics, modified, Motorsport, American and modern Ford cars while Donkey Day is set for 6^th August, held in partnership with the Donkey Breed Society to show the wonderful intelligence of donkeys as they take on an obstacle course and over events in the BDS Championship.

On 20^th and 21^st August Native and Traditional Breeds Weekend will take place at the museum. Featuring cattle, horses, pigs, poultry and sheep, visitors can get close to the traditional breeds as well as animals including Irish Moiled cattle, Saddleback pigs, Clydesdale horses, Galway sheep and working donkeys.

Likewise, the Ulster Museum will be recognising the anniversary of the Somme. An exhibition titled Remembering 1916: Your Stories uses community objects to interpret the pivotal year of war in Ireland. The exhibition also acknowledges the Easter Rising and encourages visitors to think about the impact these events have had throughout history. Also, the Creative Centenaries #MakingHistory 1916 exhibition will focus on creativity in 1916, using photographs and video archive material to focus on the individual’s role in making history.

The Ulster Museum will also have events relating to their 1916 programme, such as Virtual Reality Workshops running on 18^th June and 22^nd and 23^rd July in which visitors can view specially created virtual reality films about the events of 1916 and build their own 3D viewer. There will also be a lecture given by Dr Timothy Bowman on 6^th July titled “The Battle of the Somme: Three Armies at War, 1916” which will provide an overview of the Somme and comparisons of the different armies involved in the campaign.

Elsewhere in the Ulster Museum a new science exhibition will launch titled “Elements: From Actinium to Zirconium” which will explore the periodic table and everything that is made from elements, from microscopic viruses to vast galaxies to people.

Also, a new art exhibition “The New Past: Irish Art 1800 – 2016” will open on 8^th July. Beginning with the Act of Union in 1800 and ending with the centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016, this new exhibition incorporates history and art in one fluid display, while also raising the idea that Irish art may not accurately represent Irish History.

For more information go to: www.nmni.com/

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