Decade of centenaries

The period from the Home Rule Crisis and the First World War, through to partition and its aftermath, was a defining period of history that bears an important relationship to contemporary cultural and political identity.  The term, ‘A Decade of Centenaries’, was used to summarise this period from 2012-2022.  It offered an opportunity to focus on some of the most significant events in our history and build on the interest created by organisations and communities marking key dates, as well as the media.

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BELUM.U2021.7

This is a depiction of the original throne used by King George V at the opening of the new Northern Ireland Parliament, at the City Hall in Belfast, on 22 June 1921. Still in the collections of Belfast City Council, the throne was re-upholstered for the Northern Ireland centenary in 2021, but this painting shows it before it was reupholstered, capturing the effects of time and wear during 100 years of Northern Ireland.