15 September 2012: Opening of Ulster Covenant exhibition, Letterkenny

Donegal County Museum worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Thiepval Memorial Loyal Orange Order Convoy 1005 and the Donegal Ulster Centenaries Committee to create this exhibition, which tells the story of the signing of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. Through images and text, the exhibition places the signing of the Covenant in the context of life in Donegal during the early twentieth century. 237,368 men signed the Ulster Covenant with 234,046 women signing a parallel Declaration on Ulster Day, 28 September 1912. This included 17,985 people at 51 venues throughout Donegal.

 

Minister for State Dinny McGinley, TD, opened the exhibition on Saturday evening and was also interviewed by UTV, who carried a report on the launch.

 

The story of 1912 and the Ulster Covenant is part of a narrative that encompasses communities across Donegal, and the entire island of Ireland. Events between 1912 and 1922, including Home Rule, the First World War and the Easter Rising, have shaped our past and continue to influence us today. Donegal County Museum will be organising a series of events to remember this important period of our shared history over the coming years.

 

Earlier in the Day a History Ireland Hedge School was held in Regional Cultural Centre, entitled ’Remembering the Ulster Covenant: an exercise in mass-democracy or reaction?’, featuring Brian Kennaway, Éamon Phoenix, Margaret O’Callaghan, and Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, and chaired by Tommy Graham of History Ireland. This was part of the Plantation to Partition PEACE III programme, which examines how key historical events have shaped our cultural identities and our shared heritage. This is a collaborative partnership programme with Derry City Council, Strabane District Council, Omagh District Council, and Donegal County Council Museum and Heritage Services.

 

From History Ireland: The Ulster covenant.

 

Listen to the History Ireland Hedge School: ‘Remembering the Ulster Covenant 1912’.

 

Explore the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) online exhibition on the Ulster Covenant.