Children Invited to Share Ideas for Centenary Time Capsule

Schoolchildren from across Belfast are being invited to share their ideas on what should be included in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years’ time.

The time capsule is part of Belfast City Council’s Decade of Centenaries programme, which aims to provide a snapshot of life in 2021 for future generations.

The capsule will be sealed by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey. Items that will go into the time capsule include a NI women’s football shirt, and a special medallion to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland in 1921.

Announcing the project, Alderman McCoubrey said:

This year marks a hugely significant milestone in Northern Ireland’s history, marking 100 years since the first Northern Ireland Parliament was opened.

While this milestone will mean different things for different people, Council’s Decade of Centenaries programme aims to provide a space to reflect on key historical moments and events from 1912-1922 that shaped Northern Ireland and Ireland.

And as we look ahead to the next 100 years and wonder what life might be like then, I thought creating a time capsule would be an interesting way of capturing a little piece of history and preserving it for generations to come, so that they might have an insight into life in the city in 2021.

I’m hoping that young people will provide some inspiration as to what should be included; all suggestions are welcome but we would like it to be something that is particularly relevant to 2021 and the times we are living through.

Belfast City Council was awarded funding from the Shared History Fund, which The National Lottery Heritage Fund is delivering on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, to deliver a number of projects to mark Northern Ireland’s centenary year, including the Lord Mayor’s time capsule project.

Young people can send their suggestions to the Lord Mayor’s Office by emailing rsvp@belfastcity.gov.uk, or share their ideas on Council’s social media channels using the hashtag #BelfastTimeCapsule