The Heritage Gallery (Downpatrick Library) will hold an event ‘Ireland, the road to war and partition’ on Wednesday 27^th June, from 3.00 - 4.00pm.

During this event, which is being held in the run up to the 96^th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, you will be able to view scenes from early film from the fight against Home Rule to Partition held on the Digital Film Archive.

The film will be narrated by David Bridges, Information Support Officer with Libraries NI and a History graduate from QUB. 

This event may be of particular interest researchers, historians and to students sitting exams in June 2013, in A2 history modules, Unionism and Nationalism in Ireland 1800-1900 and Partition of Ireland 1900-1925, as well as to anyone who has an interest in moving images.

The Digital Film Archive contains 55 hours of moving images about Northern Ireland from 1897- 2000 (See attached background information on CCEA advanced GCE History specification re relevant A2 modules). A select reading list of books on early 20th century Irish history entitled Interpreting our Past, Moving Forward is freely downloadable from the Libraries NI website, from the Downpatrick Library and Local Studies, Downpatrick library pages.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome – but booking is essential as places are limited. 

For further details and to book a place, contact Heritage Staff (Downpatrick Library, Market Street, BT30 6LZ), on telephone 028 4461 1448 or email localstudies.down@librariesni.org.uk