Construction work has begun on a new Siege of Derry Museum.
The centre is part of a £3.7 million project that includes the renovation of the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and an eight week archaeological dig.
The new Museum will provide a vital resource for educating tourists and residents alike of the Great Siege of 1689, and for providing a better understanding of the ethos, history and culture celebrated by the Apprentice Boys in the present day.
The new siege museum and Shared Space Visitors Centre, located in Society Street, will provide a 5,000 square foot purpose built visitor centre detailing how the events of the Siege of Derry shaped the political landscape in Ireland and Europe.
The project includes works to the adjacent listed Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, including disability access, mechanical and electrical upgrade and building fabric works.
The two buildings will be interconnected, yet retain their own self-enclosed space.
DUP MEP Diane Dodds, who attended the start of the building works which got underway today, described the new Siege Heroes Museum and Shared Space Visitor Centre as a “tremendous asset for Northern Ireland” after attending an event marking the commencement of construction of the project in the city.
She said: “After many years of hard work and much lobbying both in Europe and closer to home, I was delighted to be able to attend this event to mark the start of construction for the new Siege Heroes Museum and Shared Visitor Centre. It is fantastic that work is finally underway.”
Ms Dodds said the new centre would “undoubtedly” provide a boost to the Protestant community by offering a new space to revive their role as part of a shared city where diverse traditions should be valued and welcomed.
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