Newtownabbey: Memorial Quilts exhibition launch audience hears of lasting impact of murder on loved ones
A Newtownabbey audience has heard of the enduring loss felt by families whose loved ones were murdered during the Troubles.
Representatives of two families shared their stories during the official launch of ‘Memorial Quilts exhibition - A Tribute to Innocents’ at Mossley Mill.
The display is being hosted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in conjunction with SEFF, a group which supports innocent victims/survivors of the Troubles.
Opening the event, the Deputy Mayor and council’s Veterans’ Champion, Councillor Alison Bennington spoke of the local government authority’s pride in hosting the exhibition.
She was joined by council colleagues from across the political spectrum. A number of MLAs and community representatives were also in attendance as well as locally-based victims/survivors.
Kenny Donaldson MBE, director of SEFF, stated: "We are indebted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for hosting our Memorial Quilts exhibition and for working with us in organising a launch event.
"Fittingly, we had involvement from two families whose loved ones are remembered across our Memorial Quilts, their commonality is that their loved ones were murdered at place deemed to be for social enjoyment and entertainment.
"Danny O'Reilly's dad Tony and uncle Myles, being murdered by the UVF in 1976 in the Golden Pheasant Bar and Restaurant, Annahilt and Eileen Kidd-Buckley's mum Ruby Kidd and uncle Francis Walker, being murdered by the Provisional IRA, also in 1976, in The Walker Bar, Templepatrick. Joseph McBride was the third innocent victim of that attack.
"Both spoke with such moral clarity and illustrated that despite 50 years having passed, the events remain raw and the sense of human loss has not dissipated.”
A short film, which illustrates a narrative of the project, touching on each quilt and tapestry and their significance and symbolic powers, was also shown
As director, Mr Donaldson also offered some broader commentary, referencing the provocative purpose of the project; that those viewing the quilts should be challenged as they are presented with symbols and emblems covering the full diversity of religious and cultural life across Northern Ireland and beyond.
The exhibition runs until Monday, October 26 and the organisers are particularly keen to see schools visit – all will be very welcome to attend from right across the community. The display is open from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Friday and will be hosted on many of the days by SEFF staff and volunteers.
Mr Donaldson added: “If groups would wish to visit then we would make a particular effort to ensure that there are personnel present to greet you and to provide a guided talk as appropriate.” He can be contacted for further information on: 07900 882770.
"The message of the quilts is clear; those remembered were innocent, they were not ordinary people, they were extraordinary to those who knew and loved them best.
"And they were not in the wrong place in the wrong time, they were where they had the absolute right to be; it was terrorism that never had a right to be present, skulking in the shadows," concluded Mr Donaldson.