On Tuesday 11th October Minister Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media officially launched the Exhibition ‘Sibhialta Atá Mé - Civil I am’. The Exhibition, curated by Galway-based historian Damien Quinn, showcases over 40 images from the conflict, including six images with a connection to Westmeath. The Exhibition is accompanied by a soundscape, created by Donncha Walsh, featuring city sounds, artillery fire and readings of contemporary letters.
Minister Martin said of the exhibition: “As curator of the exhibition, I know that Damien researched photographic archives in Ireland and Britain. Access to authentic local archival sources supports us in exploring and reflecting upon these events which help us to engage with our history, grounded in factual evidence from historically accurate records.” Westmeath County Council’s Historian in Residence, Ian Kenneally, gave an introduction to the exhibition, which made reference to many of the images, highlighting examples of propaganda, censorship, the opposing military forces and the impact of the war on civilians.
“We are excited to bring this Exhibition on a tour of branch Libraries in Westmeath”, says Heritage Office Melanie McQuade. The exhibition runs from the 10th - 17th of October in Mullingar Public Library; 18th – 22nd October in Castlepollard Library; and the 24th October – 2nd November in the Aidan Heavy Library, Athlone. The Athlone Exhibition will be launched by an Cathaoirleach Cllr Aengus O’Rourke on the 27th of October at 6.15pm, after which Historian in Residence Ian Kenneally will provide an introductory talk.
The Exhibition and the Historian in Residence Programme in Westmeath are supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme.
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Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 14/10/2022
