'Wall of History' showcases Belfast Gasworks memories

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin, will tomorrow take a walk down memory lane when he launches a special exhibition telling the human story of one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The ‘Wall of History’ tells the story of the Gasworks through the stories of the people who worked there and those who lived in the area.

The exhibition has been put together by the South Belfast Partnership Board in association with the South Belfast Historical Society and other local groups. It is funded by Belfast City Council’s Development and Outreach Initiative, which aims to stimulate community based arts and heritage activity in the city.

The unique exhibition is made up of stories, memories and photographs from people who lived, worked and remembered the Gasworks in its heyday. Stories ranging from how an ex-employee met his wife of 42 years through the Gasworks, to the lamp lighters who would ‘rap you up’ to get employees out of bed in the morning!

Caoire O’Neill, Economic Development Officer with the South Belfast Partnership Board, said: “History is just a collection of stories and this exhibition was an opportunity for those who had stories about the Gasworks to tell them and to record that history for other generations to enjoy.”

The Lord Mayor already has voiced his enthusiasm for the project, saying he was delighted Belfast City Council had supported it.

“Historically, the Gasworks played a major role in our city’s industrial revolution – and the site is equally important today in creating employment and tourism for Belfast. It’s great to see the history of this area being brought to life through local residents’ memories – so that visitors can get a real sense of how important the Gasworks has been to our society and economy,” he said.

The Gasworks Wall of History exhibition can be seen in the Governors Room, in the original Gasworks building, on Saturday September 11 (11am – 4pm) and Sunday September 12 (11am-4pm). Admission is free.

(GB/GMCG)