Museums have become contested places, engaging with discussions on issues such as access and inclusiveness, funding, multiculturalism, major exhibitions and the narration of history. Most museums try to use their collections to tell stories that reflect a broad view of culture and history for some, however, it can form a contentious issue. This conference will discuss how a fresh view of heritage and history can encourage museums to depart from tradition and embrace new ways of thinking, working and developing ideas.
Key presentations will be given by Professor Nigel Rolfe (Royal College of Arts,
Speakers on heritage in landscape, public sculpture and representations of repression in museums include Professor Liam Bannon (University of Limerick); Dr. Linda Ballard (Ulster Folk and Transport Museum); Dr. Paula Murphy (University College Dublin); Suzanne Bardgett, (Imperial War Museum); and Professor Patrick Duffy (National University of Ireland Maynooth). Discussions will be chaired by Dr. Margaret O’Callaghan (Queen’s University Belfast), Professor Mary Daly (University College Dublin), and Dr. Elizabeth Crooke (
The conference will include visits to the Walls of Derry, Apprentice Boys Museum,The Museum of Derry, Tower Museum and The Guildhall.
Everyone associated with museums and galleries understands how important it is to display and interpret the shared histories and common heritages of this island. These issues will be addressed at the 2009 Irish Museums Association Conference in
