Objects of the conflict exhibition opens

Speaking at the opening event in Bell Architects, Main Street, Mayor Ian Stevenson said: “I am pleased to welcome this touring exhibition to Ballymoney.

“The everyday objects on display and the photographs, recordings and other artefacts on display do indeed make for a very unique exhibition. I hope people from the north east of the province will take the opportunity to visit Ballymoney and view the exhibition.”

The exhibition, staged in Bell Architects Offices in the town’s Main Street continues to 25th May.

It is open Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, with late night openings on Thursdays 3rd and 17th May, 6.30 – 8.30 p.m.

Welcoming the exhibition to the town centre, Chamber of Commerce President, Mrs Winnifred Mellett, commented: “It is an interesting, on reflection, to view the everyday objects now on display and to hear the recordings from the early 70’s, giving visitors a glimpse into the everyday lives and memories of individuals, communities across Northern Ireland.”

The exhibition has been organised by Healing Through Remembering (HTR), the cross-community organisation that focuses on ways of dealing with the conflict, with the aim of achieving a peaceful future for all.

Objects, sound recordings, photographs and videos on display include

A CS gas canister turned into a working lamp.

Picture of devastation in Coleraine Town Centre following a bomb; An armoured clipboard carried by police at vehicle checkpoints in ‘high-risk’ areas; A tape recording by photojournalist Vincent Dargan of live transmissions from the pirate radio Station Radio Free Belfast;Captive Verses - a book of poems by loyalist prisoners and an interesting sculpture by well known artist Rita Duffy.