Ireland’s ‘untold black history’ focus of exhibition
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By Mike McBride, BBC News
A new exhibition is showcasing the stories of black people who helped shape Irish society throughout history.
Black Heritage NI: Hidden History aims to highlight the impact of several individuals whose contributions may have gone largely unrecognised.
It traces black history in Ireland as far back as the Viking and Roman eras, through to the presence of African American GIs stationed across the island of Ireland during World War Two and highlights black victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Among those featured are Rachael Baptiste, a trailblazing singer who broke barriers in Irish music, and Dr Raphael Armattoe, a Nobel Prize–nominated scientist.
The exhibit, which opened in Londonderry’s central library this week, aims to “challenge conventional narratives” and bring what are described as “long-neglected stories” into the public eye.
Dr Naomi Green, who is the lead researcher for the project, said took several years to bring to fruition.
The BBC explains why the exhibit is necessary.
You can always learn about Black history in our online archives.
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