Apprentice Boys say £2m centre will help promote their ethos and culture

Over £2 million worth of assistance from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme has been awarded to the Trustees of the Apprentice Boys of Derry to create a new visitors’ centre and renovate the existing Memorial Hall on Society Street.

General Secretary Moore, said: “I am delighted that funding is now secured and that work will commence during 2013 on the development of the project.

“This new centre will greatly assist the Apprentice Boys to continue with their outreach work with all communities and promote a greater understanding of the ethos, history and culture celebrated by the Association.

“This project will assist the Protestant community to play their role in being part of a shared city, where all traditions are welcomed and valued,” he continued.

Londonderry’s Sinn Féin Mayor Kevin Campbell said: “The city has many historic buildings and this most certainly is one of them and I look forward to seeing this project being delivered to create a new visitor centre and shared space for the city.

“I would like to acknowledge the role played by Derry City Council in supporting and helping to deliver this project and wish everyone associated with delivering this initiative every success.”

The funding will create a new interpretive facility called the ‘Siege Heroes Museum and Shared Space Visitors Centre’ designed to educate people about the Great Siege of 1689 and build upon the cross-community outreach work, already undertaken by the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

A core element of the project will be the development of new teaching materials on the history of the Great Siege, for primary and secondary schools, which will link in with both the Northern Ireland and Ireland educational syllabuses.

These teaching materials will be complemented by information packs aimed at tourists as well as people living across the city, who may have had little or no engagement with the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

Nelson McCausland Social Development Minister said: “This project will promote a shared and better future by presenting an informed view of an historic chapter in the history of Londonderry. It will also encourage greater levels of mutual respect as it enables the Apprentice boys of Derry to reach out to more people from across the whole community both here in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

Minister Phil Hogan T.D. of the Irish Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government said: “This project has great potential to enrich our understanding of the history of the City.

“It will also allow the Apprentice Boys of Derry to open up a unique dialogue with people from across the region that will help change perceptions and break down barriers.”

The Memorial Hall, to be refurbished under the project, will be of interest to a wide-range of community groups. Originally dedicated to the 13 Apprentice Boys who closed the gates of the City in 1688, it was also used as a dance hall during and post-WWII.

For more information on the project please visit www.apprenticeboys.co.uk.