Siege Museum is officially opened

The Trustees of the Apprentice Boys of Derry have officially opened their interpretative centre, the '˜Siege Museum' and newly refurbished Memorial Hall at Society Street.
Pictured with Finance Minister Mervyn Storey, are (l-r) Ivan Taylor, Chairman of the Trustees of Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, Jim Brownlee Governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and William Moore, Chairman of the Siege Museum Management Committee, at the official launch of the EU PEACE III funded Siege museum. Picture: Michael CooperPictured with Finance Minister Mervyn Storey, are (l-r) Ivan Taylor, Chairman of the Trustees of Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, Jim Brownlee Governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and William Moore, Chairman of the Siege Museum Management Committee, at the official launch of the EU PEACE III funded Siege museum. Picture: Michael Cooper
Pictured with Finance Minister Mervyn Storey, are (l-r) Ivan Taylor, Chairman of the Trustees of Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, Jim Brownlee Governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and William Moore, Chairman of the Siege Museum Management Committee, at the official launch of the EU PEACE III funded Siege museum. Picture: Michael Cooper

The project has been designed to enhance the quality and breadth of all cross-community outreach activity undertaken by the Apprentice Boys of Derry. It received £2.2 million worth of funding from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

Additional funding for the project has also been supplied by Tourism Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Welcoming the completion of the project, Chairman of the Siege Museum Management Committee William Moore, said: “I am delighted with the new facility and the opportunity to showcase the history of the Siege of Londonderry and the culture and traditions of the Association. It is our privilege to welcome individuals and groups from all communities to the Siege Museum, where they can view and understand the rich history of the Maiden City.”

Members of the Baker Club pictured at the official opening of the ABOD Siege Museum and refurbished Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall on Friday. From left: Victor Wray, Past President, RObin Logan, Past President, Ivan Harkness, President.Members of the Baker Club pictured at the official opening of the ABOD Siege Museum and refurbished Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall on Friday. From left: Victor Wray, Past President, RObin Logan, Past President, Ivan Harkness, President.
Members of the Baker Club pictured at the official opening of the ABOD Siege Museum and refurbished Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall on Friday. From left: Victor Wray, Past President, RObin Logan, Past President, Ivan Harkness, President.

The 5,000 square feet visitors centre contains a number of important historical artefacts including a sword belonging to Siege hero Adam Murray, cannon balls, musket shot and medals commemorating the reformation of the Apprentice Boys in 1814. The centre piece is a statute of Rev George Walker, Governor during the Great Siege of 1689.

Derry and Strabane District Council was the lead partner for the delivery of the project.

The Mayor, Elisha McCallion said she was delighted to be part of the unveiling of the new interpretative centre, calling it “a major strategic project for the city”.