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Troubles Archive

A digital archive of the arts of the Northern Ireland Troubles



Troubles Archive: on view in the Troubles Gallery at the Ulster Museum, Belfast


Troubles Archive: on view in the Troubles Gallery at the Ulster Museum, Belfast

The Arts Council has developed a new digital archive containing many of the key artistic works that were created against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland Troubles. We have produced the Archive in recognition of the contribution that the arts make to our understanding of the Troubles, and of the impact that the conflict has had upon the arts in Northern Ireland.

The Troubles Archive showcases works by more than 80 artists - including poet Seamus Heaney, visual artist Rita Duffy, sculptor FE McWilliams, writer Robert McLiam Wilson, playwright Marie Jones and musician Christy Moore – plus paintings and sculptures, poems, film and TV clips, extracts from plays and novels, artists’ biographies, analysis, and a timeline of key events, all linked to the Troubles.

A set of 13 authoritative essays has also been published as part of the project. Contributors include Patricia Craig, Ciaran Carson, Stuart Bailey and Declan Long writing on the Troubles and its impact on subjects such as literature, music, architecture, film and television, and prison art. The essays can be purchased, individually for £2.50 each or as a box set of 12 essays for £20, from the Ulster Museum shop or the Arts Council.


Sample cover Visual Arts: one of the 13 Troubles Archive Essays available
to purchase from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
One of 13 Troubles Archive Essays


The Troubles Archive is an ambitious, ongoing project. The Arts Council will develop the depth and scope of material as we continue to build this uniquely comprehensive record of the arts of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The next step, ideally, would be to make the material available online and to expand what can be viewed.


We would like to hear your views on this pilot project and on how you think we can improve the content of the archive. Click here for questionnaire.

Ulster Museum opening times:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Monday: Closed (except Bank Holidays)

Click here for the Ulster Museum Website

Click here for News Release on launch of Troubles Archive (Dec 09)

For the Launch Speech (Dec 09) view: (Rich Text), (PDF)