Conflict and Legacy Interpretive Network
The Conflict and Legacy Interpretive Network was initiated by the Museum of Free Derry, National Museums Northern Ireland and Healing Through Remembering, creating a network of museums and heritage organisations specifically covering conflict and legacy issues related to the conflict in or about Ireland.
As the debate around the historical legacy of the conflict continues, museums and heritage organisations need to consider their role and purpose. To date the project has brought together 19 different organisations from across the political divide and created a space where these organisations, from vastly different and sometimes completely opposing backgrounds, can use their collections and venues to work together with each other’s audiences to help inform and educate around the legacy debate.
“Decorum NI is very pleased to be involved with the CLIN initiative. It provides a neutral and non-judgemental platform on which different perspectives and narratives of the conflict can be juxtaposed and thus helps to create better learning and understanding – especially for future generations. It is a very welcome opportunity to tell our story in context, something we have not been able to do elsewhere.”
The first important outcome was the creation of the network itself, which has brought together organisations of all sizes and all shades of opinion. A second outcome has been the employment of a staff member and the creation of a digital presence for the network. Via its website, visitors can learn about the network members and see a digital exhibition of their
work. The network is now also working towards a physical exhibition.
“Given the history and current situation in North/ern Ireland, the establishment of CLIN addresses the challenge of how we address the conflicted past in a contested present. With no official, state-sanctioned legacy body yet in operation, CLIN has provided an excellent network of groups, ideas and practices that have influenced our own project, the Prisons Memory Archive. We highly value being part of a network that is inclusive in all of its parts, practices and policies.”