Culture Minister announces funding for Museum of Free Derry

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced funding of £500,000 for the Museum of Free Derry project.

The Minister made the announcement during a visit to the construction site, which is located at Glenfada Park in the city’s Bogside.


Construction work commenced during the summer of 2015 and the DCAL funding complements additional funding to the £2.4 m project which has been previously announced.

Making the announcement the Minister said: “The Museum of Free Derry is a unique project which will tell the story of the recent history of Derry. It is situated right at the heart of where the traumatic events of Bloody Sunday took place and will vividly portray the impact, trauma and division of ‘the troubles’ directly, through education and the exploration of the root causes of the conflict.

“As the first museum to deal directly with ‘the troubles,’ it will also play a significant role in the ongoing debate around how events of the conflict should be suitably remembered and recorded. I have no doubt that it will contribute immensely to the tourism and economy of the city and the wider north-west. I commend the Bloody Sunday Trust and the co-funders of the project for their support for what is an integral part of our shared future.”

The project is due for completion in June 2016.

While in the city the Minister also visited the site of the Daisyfield Playing fields which are being re-developed as part of a major investment led by Derry and Strabane District Council.

Speaking at the site the Minister said: “This is an exciting development which will transform this part of the city. I am keen to support this development and I have agreed that my Department should work with the Council on the refurbishment of the existing full size soccer pitch and to replace the existing three-quarter size grass pitch with a new three-quarter size 3G pitch.”

Notes to editors

The Museum of Free Derry Project is being financed through a cocktail of funders, the largest of which is the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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