Latest news with #HiddenHistory
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Black history and legacy in Irish history explored in new exhibit
A new exhibition is showcasing the stories of black people who helped shape Irish society throughout Heritage NI: Hidden History aims to highlight the impact of several individuals whose contributions may have gone largely 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 Naomi Green, who is the lead researcher for the project, said took several years to bring to fruition. "It's called hidden history for a reason," Dr Green told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "I think a lot of people don't fully understand the complexity of our history here and that it is a little bit more than just the Orange and Green. "I mean, everyone has a story, but I think so much of our history - especially our local history - has maybe been focussed on the two dominant communities here, which is of course part of our history, but these people [in the exhibition] are also part of our history. "Also, when people talk about black history, they tend to think of America, they think of Rosa Parks and perhaps individuals who are more internationally famous, but these individuals in this project have shaped our stories in different and often subtle ways. "I think it's just fantastic to name them and also celebrate them." Dr Green said one person who particularly stood out for her when compiling the project was singer Nina Clinton, who was part of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a group composed of formerly enslaved men and women from Fisk Jubilee University in Tennessee."Nina wrote some of the most beautiful handwritten letters home to her mother," Dr Green said. "Her granddaughter still has those letters to this day, and I was able to connect with her, and she was able to share those letters, including one that was written in Belfast. "To hear her voice as an 18-year-old woman coming to Belfast, experiencing the factories and people here, was just beautiful." 'Black history is also Irish history' Chantelle Lunt, a support researcher on the project, said the aim was to showcase people who are deserving of recognition and to challenge people's preconceptions of what black history actually said a lot of black history was focussed around the transatlantic slave economy, but there was much more to it - especially in places like Ireland."It is really important, especially during times like the ones we are in now, when there is often a prominent anti-migrant narrative and some people speak as if migration and diversity is something that is completely new," she said. "A project like this is vital in highlighting not only the complexities of black history and the fact that it predates the transatlantic slave economy, but also in showcasing black innovators who helped pass on scientific and mathematical knowledge," Ms Lunt said."It shows the contributions of black people to communities - such as many being drafted in during Commonwealth war efforts - as well as the influence of civil rights activism on local black people, particularly around abolition."It's so important to highlight these stories and show that black history is also Irish history." Mutwakil Bella, who is originally from Eritrea in east Africa and now lives in the north west, was at the launch."It is lovely to be here because I am an asylum seeker, so I can understand and relate to some of the people showcased in a way," he said. The interactive museum exhibition, which uses QR codes, will be in Derry for another month before moving to Strabane, Coleraine, Dungiven and then Belfast.
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Dan Skelton still fighting in British Trainers' Championship battle with Willie Mullins
The Alcester handler began the day £24,562 clear of the reigning champion, who saddled just one runner at Perth compared to Skelton's 13 across three fixtures on the day. Mullins was first in to bat, but his Magic McColgan was beaten into third place as the 8-11 favourite for the opening race in Scotland and picked up just £1,003, meaning Skelton was still £23,559 in front before kicking into action. His first runner Halondo failed to figure at Warwick, but Gwennie May Jem and Doyen Quest earned over £13,000 between them with victories at the trainer's local track, before Heltenham picked up £13,008 with a bold front-running success in Perth's Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase. Snipe, Hidden History, God's Own Getaway, Ice In The Veins and Rock House all earned prize-money in defeat to add to the Skelton coffers before sending out four runners at Bangor's evening fixture. With Mullins not represented in Britain on Friday, Skelton has the opportunity to go further ahead with two declared runners at Perth and two at Chepstow. But with 21 horses scheduled to be in action compared to Skelton's nine on the final day of the season at Sandown Saturday, Mullins is a 1-7 favourite with Paddy Power to overturn the deficit and successfully defend his trainers' championship, with Skelton a 4-1 shot to lift the title for the first time. Speaking at Warwick, Skelton told Racing TV: "We've tried our best to extend the lead as best we can and he (Mullins) has always just kept us in check by running a few horses in the bigger races. "I think there's an air of inevitability about it unfortunately on Saturday, but I've enjoyed the last three weeks immensely and if we get beat we get beat. "I've learnt a lot about myself, my staff and my owners - they've been absolutely phenomenal. "I knew what was coming (from Mullins on Saturday), I'm not surprised what's there and he's going to be hard to resist. I'll go down there with a smile on my face and we won't give up."
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Dan Skelton extends lead over Willie Mullins ahead of finale
Dan Skelton made the most of a quiet Thursday afternoon for Willie Mullins by extending his title race lead to £57,477 with an across-the-card treble at Perth and Warwick. The Alcester handler began the day £24,562 clear of the reigning champion, who saddled just one runner at Perth compared to Skelton's 13 across three fixtures on the day. Mullins was first in to bat, but his Magic McColgan was beaten into third place as the 8-11 favourite for the opening race in Scotland and picked up just £1,003, meaning Skelton was still £23,559 in front before kicking into action. His first runner Halondo failed to figure at Warwick, but Gwennie May Jem and Doyen Quest earned over £13,000 between them with victories at the trainer's local track, before Heltenham picked up £13,008 with a bold front-running success in Perth's Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase. Snipe, Hidden History, God's Own Getaway, Ice In The Veins and Rock House all earned prize-money in defeat to add to the Skelton coffers before sending out four runners at Bangor's evening fixture. With Mullins not represented in Britain on Friday, Skelton has the opportunity to go further ahead with two declared runners at Perth and two at Chepstow. But with 21 horses scheduled to be in action compared to Skelton's nine on the final day of the season at Sandown Saturday, Mullins is a 1-7 favourite with bookmakers to overturn the deficit and successfully defend his trainers' championship, with Skelton a 4-1 shot to lift the title for the first time. Speaking at Warwick, Skelton told Racing TV: "We've tried our best to extend the lead as best we can and he (Mullins) has always just kept us in check by running a few horses in the bigger races. "I think there's an air of inevitability about it unfortunately on Saturday, but I've enjoyed the last three weeks immensely and if we get beat we get beat. "I've learnt a lot about myself, my staff and my owners – they've been absolutely phenomenal. "I knew what was coming (from Mullins on Saturday), I'm not surprised what's there and he's going to be hard to resist. I'll go down there with a smile on my face and we won't give up."
