Latest news with #NationalMuseumsNI
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Calls for thatch training after ‘tiger trap' health and safety risk spotted at NI folk park
One member of the public warned that the 'tiger trap' was spotted at eye height on a property that was first built in the 1850s in Coshkib, Cushendall before being dismantled and moved to the museum in 1965. They said the pegs 'could have taken someone's eye out'. 'It is unbelievable for a thatcher to leave a job that way so someone over 5ft 10 could lose an eye or worse;' they continued. The unimpressed visitor, who spotted the problem last October, informed National Museums NI (NMNI) of the hazards. But after not receiving an initial response they approached the Health and Safety Executive and Ards and North Down Borough Council with concerns. A spokesperson for NMNI, which cares for 24 thatched buildings across its two outdoor museums, insisted swift action was taken. 'In November 2024, following a complaint about exposed pegs on a thatched outbuilding at Coshkib Hill Farm, Ards and North Down Borough Council carried out an inspection,' they said. 'We acted promptly by closing the area in question, and bringing in a specialist contractor to resolve the issue.' But a trained master thatcher with over 30 years' experience in the trade believes more needs to be done to protect the craft in Northern Ireland. Mark Taggart is demanding that museums which don't properly reflect our thatched heritage be held accountable. Mr Taggart said the blame lies with the training provided to those tasked with carrying out specialist work as there is no set specification currently in place when working on thatched roofs. 'It's a real shame that museums like these — which are supposed to be preserving these trades and old traditional skills — are lacking,' he said. 'Of all the places to be correct, it is a shambles that the Ulster Folk Museum are not representing our heritage properly. 'They are not across the (specification) of the methods used as some are spotted as English methods using English tools, not like what way we would have built them here. 'The state of some of the roofs is appalling as well with huge dips in the thatch.' The 59-year-old craftsman said that an official depth specification for working with thatch — which all workmen need to abide by — is the only solution to 'combat cowboy thatchers'. 'This type of thatching really should be lasting longer, not just a couple of years, and the reason it doesn't is all down to who is carrying out the work,' he said. 'Where are they trained? Who is teaching our future thatchers? Who vets the trainers teaching the craft? 'They say the craft is under extreme risk, but it already is, and if nothing is done about it, it will die out. 'I personally believe that these training schools that are currently running and teaching people these skills are sewing the seeds of total destruction of the trade and something needs to be done about it.' A spokesperson for the Department for Communities confirmed that there is 'no dedicated thatch training school in Northern Ireland.' 'However, the department's Heritage Skills Centre at Moira runs heritage skills training and taster days in a range of areas such as thatching,' they added. CITB NI is the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council for Construction. A spokesperson for the body said that 'there is no British Standard governing the specification of work to thatched roofs'. 'Though there are common depths employed for thatch in England, this is not the case in Northern Ireland,' they said. 'The key issue, therefore, in respect of training, is that students are clear on the implications for weathering, loading and longevity of applying different depths of thatch to roofs and that owners are clear on what they are purchasing when work is proposed.' Earlier this month, CITB NI received £739,878 from the National Lottery Fund for their Future for Thatch project which aims to provide a training programme for a new generation of thatchers and support thatched building owners to care for their roofs. The spokesperson continued: 'Depth will form part of the case-by-case specifications for works undertaken as part of the Future for Thatch training programme.' In 2022, the Department for Communities published a report that recorded 186 thatched buildings in Northern Ireland. The survey recorded that 36 of these buildings had metal coverings and that 29 of these sites were in very poor condition.
The Journal
29-04-2025
- General
- The Journal
Human remains taken from Hawaiian burial caves repatriated from Belfast
THREE SETS OF ancestral human remains taken from burial caves in Hawaii and brought to Belfast in the 19th century have been repatriated. National Museums Northern Ireland returned the remains, known as iwi kupuna in the Hawaiian language, in a private ceremony following dialogue with the authorities in the US island state. They will now be taken back to Hawaii. A separate public ceremony was held in the Ulster Museum in Belfast on Monday evening and attended by representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Hui Iwi Kuamo'o – an organisation established to protect the islands' ancient remains – and the United States embassy. The return of the remains comes three years after another repatriation from National Museums NI to Hawaii. The 2022 event involved the return of two sets of iwi kupuna as well as five sacred items (known as mea kapu). A request for the return of three other sets of remains went unfulfilled at that time as the museum authorities were uncertain of their whereabouts in Northern Ireland. Based on research into all the remains, it is believed Belfast-born ethnologist Gordon Augustus Thomson, who travelled to Hawaii island in 1840, removed them from burial caves. It is understood he donated them to the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society in 1857. They were then included in a 1910 donation to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery, a precursor to Ulster Museum and National Museums NI. After the 2022 repatriation ceremony, National Museums NI committed to continuing to search for the three other sets of remains that could not be located. It said the uncertainty on their whereabouts was due to the absence of professional collection management practices at the time of their donation. In 2024, the three iwi kupuna were located during a review of human remains in the National Museums NI collections and the OHA was subsequently notified. The public ceremony at the Ulster Museum on Monday included the formal signing of repatriation documents. Stacy Ferreira from the OHA highlighted the significance of the occasion. Advertisement 'With deep humility and reverence, we witness the healing of a long-standing kaumaha (sadness),' she said. 'The return of our iwi kupuna is about restoring dignity, healing generations, and reaffirming the living spirit of our ancestors.' Kathryn Thomson, chief executive of National Museums NI, said the repatriation was representative of the organisation's commitment to addressing wrongs of the past. 'Whilst the motivation behind the acquisition of ethnological material can appear strange today, it reflected curiosity about the wider world and a desire to represent diverse cultures,' she said. 'However, the European bias and power imbalances that often characterised this collecting have left a complex and sensitive legacy for us to address today. 'National Museums NI believes it has ethical responsibilities to redress any injustices shown to cultural values and traditions. 'There was regret when we found ourselves unable to honour the full repatriation request from Hawaii in 2022, so we are pleased this has now been resolved. We are grateful to Hawaii for its support, patience and respect throughout the process. 'We remain in ongoing liaison with various source communities around the world and are open to further repatriations as these engagements develop.' Hannah Crowdy, head of curatorial at National Museums NI, said the museums sector was on an 'ongoing journey with decolonisation'. 'Inclusive Global Histories is National Museums NI's programme for the decolonisation of our museums and collections,' she said. 'It involves ongoing dialogue and collaboration with communities both here in Northern Ireland and further afield. 'With their support and guidance, we are re-evaluating the 4,500 items in the World Cultures Collection. We want to better understand and ethically represent the often-complex stories they carry, including how and why they came to be in Belfast. 'The vision of the programme, which includes a dedicated exhibition at the Ulster Museum, is one of respect, empathy and reconciliation as it aims to promote dialogue between those of different national and cultural identities. 'It's a powerful reminder of the role museums can play in identity and peacebuilding and how our collections allow us to understand and address the past, question the present, and shape new thinking that will create a better future for everyone.'
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Remains taken from Hawaiian burial caves repatriated from Northern Ireland
Three sets of ancestral human remains taken from burial caves in Hawaii and brought to Belfast in the 19th century have been repatriated. National Museums Northern Ireland returned the remains, known as iwi kupuna in the Hawaiian language, in a private ceremony following dialogue with the authorities in the US island state. A separate public ceremony was held in the Ulster Museum in Belfast yesterday evening and attended by representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Hui Iwi Kuamo'o - an organisation established to protect the islands' ancient remains - and the United States embassy. The return of the remains comes three years after another repatriation from National Museums NI to Hawaii. The 2022 event involved the return of two sets of iwi kupuna as well as five sacred items (known as mea kapu). A request for the return of three other sets of remains went unfulfilled at that time as the museum authorities were uncertain of their whereabouts in Northern Ireland. Based on research into all the remains, it is believed Belfast-born ethnologist Gordon Augustus Thomson, who travelled to Hawaii island in 1840, removed them from burial caves. It is understood he donated them to the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society in 1857. They were then included in a 1910 donation to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery, a precursor to Ulster Museum and National Museums NI. After the 2022 repatriation ceremony, National Museums NI committed to continuing to search for the three other sets of remains that could not be located. It said the uncertainty on their whereabouts was due to the absence of professional collection management practises at the time of their donation. In 2024, the three iwi kupuna were located during a review of human remains in the National Museums NI collections and the OHA was subsequently notified. The public ceremony at the Ulster Museum yersterday included the formal signing of repatriation documents. Stacy Ferreira from the OHA highlighted the significance of the occasion. "With deep humility and reverence, we witness the healing of a long-standing kaumaha (sadness)," she said. "The return of our iwi kupuna is about restoring dignity, healing generations, and reaffirming the living spirit of our ancestors." Kathryn Thomson, chief executive of National Museums NI, said the repatriation was representative of the organisation's commitment to addressing wrongs of the past. "Whilst the motivation behind the acquisition of ethnological material can appear strange today, it reflected curiosity about the wider world and a desire to represent diverse cultures," she said. "However, the European bias and power imbalances that often characterised this collecting have left a complex and sensitive legacy for us to address today. "National Museums NI believes it has ethical responsibilities to redress any injustices shown to cultural values and traditions. "There was regret when we found ourselves unable to honour the full repatriation request from Hawaii in 2022, so we are pleased this has now been resolved. We are grateful to Hawaii for its support, patience and respect throughout the process. "We remain in ongoing liaison with various source communities around the world and are open to further repatriations as these engagements develop." Hannah Crowdy, head of curatorial at National Museums NI, said the museum sector was on an "ongoing journey with decolonisation". "Inclusive Global Histories is National Museums NI's programme for the decolonisation of our museums and collections," she said. "It involves ongoing dialogue and collaboration with communities both here in Northern Ireland and further afield. "With their support and guidance, we are re-evaluating the 4,500 items in the World Cultures Collection. We want to better understand and ethically represent the often-complex stories they carry, including how and why they came to be in Belfast. "The vision of the programme, which includes a dedicated exhibition at the Ulster Museum, is one of respect, empathy and reconciliation as it aims to promote dialogue between those of different national and cultural identities. "It's a powerful reminder of the role museums can play in identity and peacebuilding and how our collections allow us to understand and address the past, question the present, and shape new thinking that will create a better future for everyone."
ITV News
29-04-2025
- General
- ITV News
Human remains taken from Hawaiian burial caves repatriated from Northern Ireland
Three sets of ancestral human remains taken from burial caves in Hawaii and brought to Belfast in the 19th century have been repatriated. National Museums Northern Ireland returned the remains, known as iwi kupuna in the Hawaiian language, in a private ceremony following dialogue with the authorities in the US island state. They will now be taken back to Hawaii. A separate public ceremony was held in the Ulster Museum in Belfast on Monday evening and attended by representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Hui Iwi Kuamo'o – an organisation established to protect the islands' ancient remains – and the United States embassy. The return of the remains comes three years after another repatriation from National Museums NI to Hawaii. The 2022 event involved the return of two sets of iwi kupuna as well as five sacred items (known as mea kapu). A request for the return of three other sets of remains went unfulfilled at that time as the museum authorities were uncertain of their whereabouts in Northern Ireland. Based on research into all the remains, it is believed Belfast-born ethnologist Gordon Augustus Thomson, who travelled to Hawaii island in 1840, removed them from burial caves. It is understood he donated them to the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society in 1857. Kathryn Thomson of National Museums NI, Kuike Kamakea-Ohelo, Kamana Caceres; Kalehua Caceres; and Mana Caceres from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. They were then included in a 1910 donation to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery, a precursor to Ulster Museum and National Museums NI. After the 2022 repatriation ceremony, National Museums NI committed to continuing to search for the three other sets of remains that could not be located. It said the uncertainty on their whereabouts was due to the absence of professional collection management practices at the time of their donation. In 2024, the three iwi kupuna were located during a review of human remains in the National Museums NI collections and the OHA was subsequently notified. The public ceremony at the Ulster Museum on Monday included the formal signing of repatriation documents. Stacy Ferreira from the OHA highlighted the significance of the occasion. 'With deep humility and reverence, we witness the healing of a long-standing kaumaha (sadness),' she said. 'The return of our iwi kupuna is about restoring dignity, healing generations, and reaffirming the living spirit of our ancestors.' Kathryn Thomson, chief executive of National Museums NI, said the repatriation was representative of the organisation's commitment to addressing wrongs of the past. 'Whilst the motivation behind the acquisition of ethnological material can appear strange today, it reflected curiosity about the wider world and a desire to represent diverse cultures,' she said. 'However, the European bias and power imbalances that often characterised this collecting have left a complex and sensitive legacy for us to address today. 'National Museums NI believes it has ethical responsibilities to redress any injustices shown to cultural values and traditions. 'There was regret when we found ourselves unable to honour the full repatriation request from Hawaii in 2022, so we are pleased this has now been resolved. We are grateful to Hawaii for its support, patience and respect throughout the process. 'We remain in ongoing liaison with various source communities around the world and are open to further repatriations as these engagements develop.' Hannah Crowdy, head of curatorial at National Museums NI, said the museums sector was on an 'ongoing journey with decolonisation'. 'Inclusive Global Histories is National Museums NI's programme for the decolonisation of our museums and collections,' she said. 'It involves ongoing dialogue and collaboration with communities both here in Northern Ireland and further afield. 'With their support and guidance, we are re-evaluating the 4,500 items in the World Cultures Collection. We want to better understand and ethically represent the often-complex stories they carry, including how and why they came to be in Belfast. 'The vision of the programme, which includes a dedicated exhibition at the Ulster Museum, is one of respect, empathy and reconciliation as it aims to promote dialogue between those of different national and cultural identities. 'It's a powerful reminder of the role museums can play in identity and peacebuilding and how our collections allow us to understand and address the past, question the present, and shape new thinking that will create a better future for everyone.'
The Independent
29-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Human remains taken from Hawaiian burial caves repatriated from Northern Ireland
Three sets of ancestral human remains taken from burial caves in Hawaii and brought to Belfast in the 19th century have been repatriated. National Museums Northern Ireland returned the remains, known as iwi kupuna in the Hawaiian language, in a private ceremony following dialogue with the authorities in the US island state. They will now be taken back to Hawaii. A separate public ceremony was held in the Ulster Museum in Belfast on Monday evening and attended by representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Hui Iwi Kuamo'o – an organisation established to protect the islands' ancient remains – and the United States embassy. The return of the remains comes three years after another repatriation from National Museums NI to Hawaii. The 2022 event involved the return of two sets of iwi kupuna as well as five sacred items (known as mea kapu). A request for the return of three other sets of remains went unfulfilled at that time as the museum authorities were uncertain of their whereabouts in Northern Ireland. Based on research into all the remains, it is believed Belfast-born ethnologist Gordon Augustus Thomson, who travelled to Hawaii island in 1840, removed them from burial caves. It is understood he donated them to the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society in 1857. They were then included in a 1910 donation to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery, a precursor to Ulster Museum and National Museums NI. After the 2022 repatriation ceremony, National Museums NI committed to continuing to search for the three other sets of remains that could not be located. It said the uncertainty on their whereabouts was due to the absence of professional collection management practices at the time of their donation. In 2024, the three iwi kupuna were located during a review of human remains in the National Museums NI collections and the OHA was subsequently notified. The public ceremony at the Ulster Museum on Monday included the formal signing of repatriation documents. Stacy Ferreira from the OHA highlighted the significance of the occasion. 'With deep humility and reverence, we witness the healing of a long-standing kaumaha (sadness),' she said. 'The return of our iwi kupuna is about restoring dignity, healing generations, and reaffirming the living spirit of our ancestors.' Kathryn Thomson, chief executive of National Museums NI, said the repatriation was representative of the organisation's commitment to addressing wrongs of the past. 'Whilst the motivation behind the acquisition of ethnological material can appear strange today, it reflected curiosity about the wider world and a desire to represent diverse cultures,' she said. 'However, the European bias and power imbalances that often characterised this collecting have left a complex and sensitive legacy for us to address today. 'National Museums NI believes it has ethical responsibilities to redress any injustices shown to cultural values and traditions. 'There was regret when we found ourselves unable to honour the full repatriation request from Hawaii in 2022, so we are pleased this has now been resolved. We are grateful to Hawaii for its support, patience and respect throughout the process. 'We remain in ongoing liaison with various source communities around the world and are open to further repatriations as these engagements develop.' Hannah Crowdy, head of curatorial at National Museums NI, said the museums sector was on an 'ongoing journey with decolonisation'. 'Inclusive Global Histories is National Museums NI's programme for the decolonisation of our museums and collections,' she said. 'It involves ongoing dialogue and collaboration with communities both here in Northern Ireland and further afield. 'With their support and guidance, we are re-evaluating the 4,500 items in the World Cultures Collection. We want to better understand and ethically represent the often-complex stories they carry, including how and why they came to be in Belfast. 'The vision of the programme, which includes a dedicated exhibition at the Ulster Museum, is one of respect, empathy and reconciliation as it aims to promote dialogue between those of different national and cultural identities. 'It's a powerful reminder of the role museums can play in identity and peacebuilding and how our collections allow us to understand and address the past, question the present, and shape new thinking that will create a better future for everyone.'
