Reception at The Tower Musuem (27/02/09)

After an insighful end of day discussion the IMA delegates were invited to attend a Reception hosted by Derry City Council Heritage and Museum Service at The Tower Museum. Here the delegates were greeted with a welcome speech by Derry City Council and Margaret Edwards of the Tower Museum. The guests were then given the chance to explore the museum itself along with the IMA 'Museums Matter Exhibition', which is currently being hosted in Derry/ Londonderry. After exploring the exhibition, much to the delight of the guests, wine and appetisers awaited in the reception. This was further accompanied by two classical musicians to provide the evenings entertainment. A special thanks has to be said to Margaret Edwards and the staff of the Tower Museum for arranging this wonderful evening!

Discussion Day I (27/02/09)

With Dr. Elizabeth Crooke acting as chair along with a panel of the days speakers, the delegates were encouraged to interact and respond to the days presentations. Many valuable comments were made on the day. In this section of the blog, delegates are invited to re-address the comments of the day and discuss them with our blog readers.

Workshop II (27/02/09)

Theme Part II: New ways of engaging visitors

Introducing the speakers: Nigel Monaghan, Irish Museums Association

The potential of new technology to encourage visitors to interact with the history and heritage of museum collections

Professor Liam Bannon, Interaction Design Centre, Univeristy of Limerick

After an inovative presentation, Professor Liam Bannon along with his team colleagues from the Interaction Design Centre further highlighted this ' potential of new technology' through a digital installation of their interactive projects. This gave the delegates the opportunity to discuss one on one with a member of the team, the work and objectives of the Interaction Design Centre.

For more information on the Interaction Design Centre please go to

http://www.idc.ul.ie/

The pro-active role of historic houses in engaging visitors in an understanding of the different heritages within Ireland.

Kieran Burns, Curator, Dublin's Georgian House Museum, Number Twenty Nine Fitzwilliam St.

The last presentation of the day was by Kieran Burns, who emphasised the potential of 'the historic house' and both its current and future role in promoting heritage and engaging visitors. Although Burns addressed many of the same issues as Professor Liam Bannon, his approach as a historian and a curator contrasted entirely and presented a very interesting conclusion to the theme of 'New ways of engaging visitors'.

For information on Number Twenty Nine please go to:

http://www.esb.ie/main/about_esb/numbertwentynine/default.htm

Welcome Workshop I (27/02/09)

2pm - Workshop Theme Part I: Histories and Heritage

Introducing the speakers: Caroline Carr, Irish Museums Association.

A sense of Place in the city of Derry/Londonderry

Liam Campbell, Academy of Cultural Heritage, University of Ulster, Magee Campus.

The Challenge of Commemorating the Plantation

Dr William Kelly, Lecturer in History, University of Ulster.

Under the theme of 'Histories and Heritage' the first two presentations ' given by Liam Campbell and Dr. William Kelly gave us a grounding in both the heritage and current climate of the city of Derry/Londonderry. This was an appropriate and important introduction not only because for many of the delegates, this was their first time in the city but furthermore because as the host of this years annual conference, the city of Derry/Londonderry was likley to be a re-occuring focal-point during the course of the conference.

Welcome (27/02/09)

As the last few people arrived for registration on the Friday, the crowd of delegates gathered in the lobby of the City Hotel for the walking tour of the Apprentice Boy's Museum, Society Street and the Museum of Free Derry which was led by Margaret Edwards (IMA). This was the perfect way to become aquainted with the City of Derry.