Northern Ireland War Memorial facts for kids
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| Established | 2007 |
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| Location | 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, BT1 2LD United Kingdom |
The Northern Ireland War Memorial is a special museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It opened in 2007 on Talbot Street. This museum helps us remember the important role Northern Ireland played in World War II. It also honors the many people who lost their lives during the Belfast Blitz, which was a series of bombings in 1941.
The museum replaced an older building called Memorial House. That building was on Waring Street and was actually bombed during the Blitz! Inside the new museum, you can find the Home Front Exhibition. This exhibit shows what life was like for people in Northern Ireland during the war. There's also a memorial created by Carolyn Mulholland to remember those killed in the Belfast Blitz.
Contents
Why Was the Memorial Built?
The Northern Ireland War Memorial aims to be a welcoming place. It helps people understand Northern Ireland's big part in the Second World War. It also shows how the war affected the people living there.
The main goal of the War Memorial is to remember the men and women from Northern Ireland who died in both the First and Second World Wars. It also celebrates the friendship made with the many American soldiers who were stationed in Northern Ireland during World War II.
A Look at History
The idea for the Northern Ireland War Memorial started right after the Second World War ended. The Northern Ireland branch of the British Legion, a group for ex-service people, wanted to create a memorial. They wanted to remember everyone from Northern Ireland who had died in both World Wars.
The government in Northern Ireland, led by Sir Basil Brooke, also wanted to honor these sacrifices. They especially wanted to remember the strong friendships made with the huge number of US forces. About 300,000 American soldiers passed through Northern Ireland during the war!
In 1948, these groups decided to work together. They set up the Northern Ireland War Memorial Building Fund. A special group called the Council of the Northern Ireland War Memorial was officially formed in 1950. Sir Norman Stronge was their first leader. The Northern Irish government agreed to give one pound for every pound raised, up to £100,000. Also, the Belfast Corporation (which was like today's Belfast City Council) promised to find a good spot for the building.
Fun Ways to Raise Money
Many fundraising events were held all over Northern Ireland. These events were managed from special offices in 'Blitz Square' in Belfast. These offices were quite unique! They were made from three old tramcars joined together. Sir Basil Brooke opened these tramcar offices on November 16, 1948.
Some of the fundraising events were really interesting. There were ladies' international football games. People also donated odd shillings and pence. One of the most famous events was the creation of a two-tonne (that's 2,000 kg!) fruit cake. This giant cake was raffled off in eight-pound slices to lucky ticket holders!
The First Memorial House
After almost ten years, work finally began on the first Northern Ireland War Memorial Building. This building was also known as Memorial House. It was built on Waring Street in Belfast. This spot had been home to many businesses before it was destroyed by bombs on May 4-5, 1941, during the Belfast Blitz Fire Raid.
Memorial House was finished and opened in October 1963. HRH Elizabeth, the Queen Mother officially opened it. She said that the memorial was more than just bricks and stone. She believed it would be a good home for groups like the British Legion. These groups helped ex-service people, and their work was very important.
The Memorial Today
Even during the period known as the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, Memorial House stayed open. It continued to host events and charities for ex-service people. It even hosted the Belfast Small Claims Court and services for the Church of God NI.
In the late 1980s, people decided to create a Home Front Heritage Centre there. This center was designed to teach everyone about Northern Ireland's special role in the Second World War. The Heritage Centre opened in 1989. It stayed open until 2007, when Memorial House was sold. All the museum's operations then moved to its current location on Talbot Street.
Today, the Northern Ireland War Memorial is an accredited museum. This means it meets high standards for museums. Its goal is to tell the full and true story of Northern Ireland's part in the Second World War. They do this through interesting exhibitions, books, research, and learning programs.
The museum also looks after war memorials for those who died in the First and Second World Wars. This includes the memorial for the Belfast Blitz. They organize respectful remembrance events. They also provide office and meeting spaces for charities that help ex-service people. Sometimes, they even give small grants to projects that match their goals.
See also
- Somme Heritage Centre
- The Cenotaph, Belfast
- List of public art in Belfast
