Superb, significant exhibition
Up in Arms! The 1798 Rebellion in Ireland
exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens,
Belfast
From 3 April to 31 August 1998
Officially launched in Belfast's Ulster Museum on
Thursday 2 April, the Up in Arms! exhibition dealing
with the 1798 Rebellion has to be seen.
Described in the press releases as the ``most
comprehensive event of this bicentenary year'', it is
hard to see anything on the horizon that will surpass
it.
On display are some 300 original objects from the 1798
period, including a number of audio-visual
presentations to provide an interactive dimension to
the exhibition.
There is also a community outreach programme, funded by
the Community Relations Council and the European
Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation,
which aims to bring the exhibition to as many people as
possible.
Also throughout the coming five months there are
numerous events - from lectures and talks to
discussions about the songs of `98 - organised to allow
for a more in-depth look at this crucial historic
period in not only Irish history but that of the world.
Not only does Up in Arms! look at the Rebellion it sets
the period in its historic context given how both the
French and American revolutions with their ideals of
Fraternité, Equalité and Solidarité influenced the
thinking of the United Irishmen.
June is an especially significant month for women as on
three consecutive Sundays - 14th, 21st and 28th - there
will be talks on the experiences of women, including
Betsy Gray.
As for the exhibition itself it is simply magnificent.
One of the most important pieces is the oil painting of
the Battle of Ballynahinch by Thomas Robinson. It was
lent to the Ulster Museum by the Office of Public Works
in Dublin, where it hangs in Aras an Uachtarain, and is
the first time it has been shown in public in Belfast
since it was painted in 1798.
The figures depicted are real participants of the
events of the time and the artist interviewed some of
those who fought at the battle as sources before he
painted the work. Robinson, however, couldn't get a
buyer due to the political sensitivities of the time so
ended up raffling the piece which ended up in Phoenix
Park.
other interesting piece is the portrait of Daniel
O'Connell. O'Connell opposed the Rebellion and indeed
was a member of the lawyers' corps of Yeomanry which
was the Protestant militia which fought against the
United Irish forces. O'Connell was also a Mason.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition Marshall
McKee, acting director of the museum, said that both
major political traditions in Ireland - unionism and
republicanism - trace their roots from the 1798 period.
Seeing an exhibition of this scope can only give us all
insights and a better understanding of the period and
therefore a better grasp of the present. That alone
makes the exhibition worth viewing.
For further information contact Angela Reid (01232
383111) and for information on the museum's outreach
programme contact Jane Leonard (01232 383030).
By Peadar Whelan
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