Tower Museum to host sports exhibition

A touring exhibition celebrating the lives of Ulster sportsmen and women are on display at the Tower Museum until next month.

Entitled ‘Ulster Sporting Heroes,’ the exhibition has been developed by the Ulster Sports Museum and celebrates the success of sport in Ulster.

Welcoming the exhibition, the Mayor Alderman Maurice Devenney said he was delighted the exhibition was coming to the city.

“This city and region has produced a large number of high calibre sporting individuals and teams who have achieved notable success. Some, but not all of them, are mentioned in this exhibition.

“Of course sport is not just about winning. People participate in sport in many ways, and for most of us being successful does not necessarily mean winning, or reaching the top. What I really like about this exhibition is the way that it includes some people who are not household names, but in their own way they have achieved great things.”

Craig McGuicken, curator with Derry City Council’s Heritage and Museum Services said the exhibition is a great way for the public to celebrate local sports achievements and to explore the importance of sport in their local communities.

“Sport has always had a powerful effect on us. Whether it involves taking part or just spectating - sport exerts a strong emotional force, and for many people it is an important part of our group and individual identities. Even the places connected to sport can have huge meaning. Some like the Brandywell and Celtic Park are part of our everyday lives.

“Others, like Ballyarnett Racecourse can only be conjured up through photograph and story. We believe that this exhibition will have a big impact on the people of this city and attract a lot of interest from the public who are very interested in sport and are proud of their local sports heroes,” he said.

He added that the exhibition includes material representing some of Londonderry’s best known sports people including Jobby Crossan, Terry Watt, Billy ‘Spider’ Kelly, Anthony Tohill, Aileen Morrison, Peter Hutton, Liam Coyle, the 1924 City of Derry Rowing Club Team, Joe Barr and Frank ‘Anton’ Hegarty Derry’s only ever Olympic medal winner, won a silver medal at the 1920 Olympic games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Craig added that an important element of the exhibition is the inclusion of a section entitled ‘Who’s Missing? - which gives the public an opportunity to suggest who they think should be up there with the other Ulster Sports Heroes.

He said local schools will also be encouraged to get involved in the exhibition. He commented: “This exhibition offers great opportunities for interaction and participation. Schools can avail of guided tours of the exhibition and the students can let us know who their sporting heroes are.

“We would also encourage families and visitors of all ages to call in and view the exhibition and share their sporting memory with us. As part of this exhibition we aim to start gathering items for a special sporting life reminiscence box.”

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