Derry City and Strabane District council unveil 2016 programming

Derry City and Strabane District Council have unveiled some of their plans to mark the centenaries of the Easter Rising and Battle of the Somme. 

The Centenary programme of activities is one of a number of Mayoral initiatives aimed at reaching out to local communities and actively engaging with them by encouraging them to tell their own stories around the events of 100 years ago.

Among the planned events are a series of exhibitions at the Tower Museum looking at the personal stories of those involved in the seminal events of 1916.

The Nerve Centre's Creative Centenaries project is partnering with the Tower Museum to bring to life a new exhibition teasing out local stories and events from the time, as well as making use of extensive archive and digital content. 

Elsewhere a Mayoral Family Free Activity Programme will provide free access for local people from 30 March to 01 April, to Council leisure facilities including sports camps for children and free swimming facilities and free access to the Tower Museum.

The programme also includes an outdoor Pageant in Guildhall Square commemorating 1916 and a two-day remembrance and community festival in St. Columb’s Park to mark the Battle of the Somme. 

Details of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Grant Aid scheme, which provides over £90,000 of funding to 16 groups to support community activity and larger scale events, was also unveiled at the launch.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Elisha McCallion said: 'This year sees the anniversary of two of the most significant events in modern history, and it is only fitting that we mark the occasion here in the city and district with a number of events which appropriately reflect their impact on the island of Ireland.

'It is our opportunity to recognise the diverse narratives of the decade from 1913–1923, and to engage with our communities through the Grant Aid scheme that allows them to tell their own stories and remember this influential era of our history.'

Click here for up to date information on the council's programme.