During the ‘Decade of Centenaries’, which provided opportunities to look back on the events of 1912–22, and reflect on their legacy for today, the Ulster Historical Foundation worked on two major projects relating to the First World War and the theme of remembrance. One of these was focused on Ballymena, County Antrim, and the other on Ballymacarrett in East Belfast. Both projects brought together young people from across the religious and political divide to work together on a programme where they would learn more about their First World War ancestors and others in their respective communities who had served in the conflict.
The Ballymena-based project, which was supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, brought together the Dunclug Youth Forum and the Harryville and Ballykeel Youth Group. The participants had the opportunity to visit the Ulster Museum and the Somme Heritage Centre, Friar’s Bush graveyard and Belfast City Cemetery, as well as enjoy sessions in Ballymena Library looking at local newspapers and online resources. The project culminated in the publication, in November 2014, of Ballymena and the First World War: A Sacrifice Shared.
The project focused on Ballymacarrett brought together young people from the Doyle and Inner East youth projects and was delivered along similar lines, with opportunities to explore the impact of the war on this part of Belfast and the surrounding districts, told through the personal stories of individuals who served. It involved talks and visits to a number of local historical sites plus Belfast Central Library’s newspaper collection. This project was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dublin, and resulted in the publication of Ballymacarrett and the First World War: A Sacrifice Shared, which was launched in February 2018.
Also relating to the First World War, in 2014 the Ulster Historical Foundation worked with local playwright and actor Dan Gordon and a group of young men from two marching bands from Belfast, showing them how to research members of their family and community who served in the Great War. This work was part of a larger project created by Dan, which culminated in a theatrical performance by the young men (many of whom who had never acted before) as part of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s.