Irish Republican History Museum facts for kids
The Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum (in Irish: Iarsmalann na Staire Poblachtach Éireannach) is a special museum located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was created in 2007. The museum exists thanks to years of hard work by Eileen Hickey, who gathered many of the items on display.
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About the Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum
The museum is found inside Conway Mill in the Falls Road area of West Belfast. Conway Mill is a historic building, originally a linen factory built in 1842. For the last thirty years, this building has been used by the local community. The museum officially opened its doors in February 2007. This date was chosen because it was one year after Eileen Hickey passed away. She was a very important person in making the museum happen. A group of volunteers helps to run the museum every day.
Who Was Eileen Hickey?
Eileen Hickey was a dedicated person who spent her life collecting and protecting important items. These items tell the story of a period in Irish history known as The Troubles. This was a time of conflict and change in Northern Ireland. Eileen Hickey wanted to make sure these historical objects were kept safe for future generations. She believed it was important to remember and learn from the past.
What Can You See at the Museum?
Many people and families have given items to the museum. These gifts help to create a rich collection of history. You can see handicrafts made by people who were held in prison. There are also pictures and artwork that show different parts of the conflict. Some of the oldest items in the museum date back to the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This rebellion involved a group called the Society of United Irishmen.
Special Items to Discover
The museum has many interesting things to see. Here are some of the key exhibits:
- A jacket worn by Mairéad Farrell while she was in prison. She was a volunteer.
- A real cell door and a bed from the Armagh women's prison. These show what prison life was like.
- A large collection of posters and paintings. These artworks are connected to the time of conflict.
- Interesting articles about people who have passed away. Many of these people were involved in Irish republicanism.
- A library and an interpretive centre. These areas are great for learning and for people doing history projects.
