Background

The purpose of the development of the Roots for the Rootless project is to allow young people to look back in time and find out how people, places and lifestyles have changed mainly over the past one hundred years, and to look at their own heritage.

Two Foyers were involved in the project, Strand Foyer from Derry City, and Belfast Foyer. Within the project, both Foyers had the opportunity to come together to share ideas in relation to how and what is required to make the project happen. To begin with, Strand Foyer came to Belfast and both Foyers toured Belfast, and took a boat trip on the River Lagan. Then, both groups met in the Ulster Folk and Transport museum Cultra, where there was a two-day residential. This allowed both groups to study how people lived in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries; the consensus between the groups was that life was much harder for people who lived during this time in comparison to how we view life today.

Furthermore, there were a number of workshops during the residential, where guest speakers discussed with us the history and traditions within our country. These was found, by all, to be very interesting and allowed people to look at various cultural backgrounds within Northern Ireland and beyond what are deemed as the traditional cultures there, like the Nationalism and Loyalist influences. We also looked at the other traditions within Northern Ireland, for example the Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani communities along with a number of others too. Thus we discovered that Northern Ireland is now becoming a multi-cultural environment.

When the groups met again in Strand Foyer, in the City of Londonderry, we had a very interesting evening whereby a historian came and spoke to us and discussed the history of Derry. What I found interesting was the fact that at the end of the Second World War, the north Atlantic U Boats of the German Navy surrendered in the river Foyle. This showed the importance of the river for naval operations during this time.

Furthermore, we had a guided tour of the Derry City Walls and the defences, which were critical for the protection of the city during the siege of Derry during the 16^th century. It was at this time that forces loyal to King William of Orange held the city from the invading forces of those loyal to King James. The fortification is still well preserved, and a number of cannons remain on display.

Within the Belfast Foyer group, we noticed that one of the main things, which the City of Belfast and Derry had in common, was the fact that they were both build around rivers - the river Lagan and the river Foyle. For our project Belfast Foyer decided to do create an artistic representation of how the architecture of the buildings along the river Lagan has changed over the past century or so. The centrepiece of the project is two large canvas paintings depicting the Queens Bridge in Belfast spanning the river Lagan. Furthermore, another canvas, depicting an incomplete flower, which depicts the fact of the ever evolving progress of ideas and people who have and will become involved within this project and future projects. This, along with the incorporation of old and modern photographs of the buildings that have been built on the banks of the river, showed the developments created along the river and how the landscape has changed over the years.

Westminster Showcase

On a sunny bright day in May 2006, Belfast Foyer and Strand Foyer were given the opportunity to display the work that they had undertaken as part of the Roots for the Rootless Project. This was not just any venue in which we were given the opportunity to display our work in; we were actually travelling to the Palace of Westminster in London, the seat of government within the United Kingdom, to display our projects.

When we reached Westminster tube station, and climbed the steps out of the station into a bright sunny afternoon, I felt the ‘WOW’ factor, because there in front of us was the Palace of Westminster: this beautiful piece of architecture towering into the London skyline. I found the experience quite breathtaking. When we entered the building I found myself in awe of the decretive artworks lining this corridor of power, the paintings of the great and the good stretching back through history.

We set up our display, along with a number of other groups who have been involved with the Young Roots project. I have to say that everyone involved gave us an extremely warm welcome and there was great interest in our display. We also met with the Member of Parliament for Foyle, Mark Durkan (SDLP) and were given the opportunity to interview him. Of course, I was in charge of the Dictaphone, and even though I had checked the batteries in the machine on two occasions before the interviews began, halfway through the first interview the batteries run out! However, I am a great believer in what we call in Ireland, ‘Murphy’s Law’…What can go wrong will go wrong… Therefore, I had taken another set of batteries with me. Thus, after a little embarrassment on my behalf I managed to get the interviews completed.

Mark Durkan brought us out onto the members’ balcony and we were given the opportunity for a photo shoot. It was a very beautiful view from the balcony looking across the River Thames from where I could also see the London eye and a number of other landmarks.

We returned to the hall and there was quite an impressive buffet laid on for us. I spent my time taking photographs, chatting to Foyer staff from England and exchanging ideas etc., I found this very productive. Furthermore, a number of English MPs took a great interest in our project and everyone was marvelling at the artwork that we had on display.

Furthermore, one of our residents spoke briefly to the assembled audience regarding what he had gained from taking part in the project, and a resident from Strand Foyer did the same. Everything went perfectly.

After the event was completed, we went to our hotel and checked in, we then went out for dinner. We went to Brick lane, which in itself is a wealth of history and culture dating back to the 15^th Century. We enjoyed a good meal and returned to our hotel. I have to say that it was a great day and, from what I am told, all the others involved had a great day too.

Personally, I found the invitation that I was given to attend the Young Roots Westminster showcase quite humbling. Yes, I had given my ideas and thoughts to the project and some of my time too. However, the residents within the Belfast Foyer undertook the real work; the work carried out on the artworks, photographs, research etc.

Primarily, I have to state how proud I am of the work that was put into our project, by everyone who took part and, in particular, Ciaran Hannon and Christopher Wain. Furthermore, I would like to thank Fiona Boyle - Northern Ireland representative of the Foyer Federation - who has worked tirelessly, providing support, motivation and mentoring the project. Without Fiona’s support, I personally feel the project would not have been completed to such a high standard.