Exploration of Northern Ireland’s photographic heritage opens at Ulster Museum

The Ulster Museum, in partnership with The Belfast Archive Project, has launched a series of photography exhibitions running throughout 2025. This trilogy of exhibitions explores the stories behind pivotal moments in Northern Ireland’s past, and the photographers who captured them.

The exhibitions are co-curated by Frankie Quinn, Director of The Belfast Archive Project - who will also present his own work in the second exhibition - and Karen Logan, Senior Curator of History at National Museums NI. Together, they have shaped a compelling narrative across the three exhibitions that delves into the complexities of Northern Ireland's history and its lasting impact. This collaboration also highlights the vital work of the Belfast Archive Project - supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund - in preserving Northern Ireland's photographic heritage through exhibitions, digital resources, and publications.

The first of the three exhibitions is now open and focuses on the work of documentary photographer Bill Kirk. Known for his empathetic and intimate approach, Bill’s images capture everyday life during The Troubles with a rare sensitivity and depth. Some of his most significant works will be on display, including 'When Beuys came to Belfast' which depicts Joseph Beuys’ visit to the new University of Ulster (Art College) in November 1974, as well as his personal project to document the Sandy Row area in 1974, having heard that it was to be redeveloped.

Reflecting on his work, Bill Kirk said, 

“At the beginning of the Troubles, I turned to photography to make sense of the turmoil around us, believing it could make a difference. There was uncertainty and anxiety, and I felt compelled to capture and preserve those feelings. I’m glad I documented the community and its people, and that my images still resonate today. As we move beyond conflict, it’s vital to remember the past and keep the conversation alive for future generations.”

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The second exhibition, opening this summer, will feature the work of co-curator Frankie Quinn, whose photography has explored conflict and its social impact worldwide and in Belfast since the 1980s. This exhibition will examine his earliest work from his community of Short Strand in East Belfast with a foreword by Magnum photographer Gilles Peress. He explained how photography can be a powerful medium for engaging with challenging themes. He said, 

“The works that people will experience as part of this series are each profound in their own way, depicting moments, experiences, and feelings. I hope visitors will leave with a greater appreciation for the medium of photography, recognising how it can transcend language barriers to communicate emotions, stories, and perspectives in a single instant.”

The final exhibition, opening in the autumn, will present work from the Bell archive, a newly acquired collection of photographs taken around the Irish coast in 1950, will present the work of James Bell, further expanding the narrative of our photographic history and the diverse experiences that shape it.

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This trilogy of exhibitions reflects the Ulster Museum's commitment to community history and the power of photography to capture Northern Ireland’s shared past - part of its ongoing work on identity, cultural expression, and the lasting impact of conflict.

Karen Logan, Senior Curator of History at National Museums NI said, 

“The decades of conflict, violence, and division have left complex legacy issues across the island - our museums are known to welcome healthy discussion, and provide multiple perspectives about our contested history, the times we live in now, and what our shared future might look like. Collecting and sharing historically significant objects, including photography, allows us to create inclusive and diverse experiences that bridge the past with the present. This is fundamental in providing our visitors the opportunity to challenge their own perspectives and have conversations that inspire change and bring about a better future for us all.”