The Ulster Folk Museum is to receive a £50 million investment to support the delivery of the Reawakening project to improve facilities, enhance access to collections and strengthen the museum’s role in helping people connect with their heritage.

The project will be funded by £40million through the Department for Communities and £10million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – their biggest grant in Northern Ireland in a decade.

Announcing the investment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons stated how it will help to “ensure our heritage is retained for future generations.”

He added: “The Reawakening Project will see the Ulster Folk Museum transform to a multi-layered heritage and environment resource, which sustains more relevant and active connections with its audiences. This marks a profound shift in the museum’s positioning.

placeholder image — Pictured at the Ulster Folk Museum are Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI and Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund with Éowyn and Chester from Ballyholme Primary School

"The Reawakening is not just about reinvestment – it’s about reimagining the museum’s purpose to ensure it thrives for the next 25 years and beyond as a vibrant, relevant and indispensable resource for society.”

National Museums NI is also working with a number of funding trusts and philanthropists to explore other sources of funding, recognising the very significant benefits this project delivers and in line with the Framework for the Department’s Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme.

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said: “The Ulster Folk Museum has had limited investment for decades, and some of its facilities are no longer fit for purpose. Our Reawakening project will deliver lasting and measurable social and economic value. We have been advocating Ulster Folk Museum’s potential as a heritage asset for a number of years.

“Today’s confirmation of support from the Minister and his Department is a significant and exciting milestone. We are also grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their instrumental support on our journey.

“The Ulster Folk Museum’s collection is a people’s collection. It has never been more relevant to our lives than today. These objects and stories reflect shared experiences and different traditions from across Ulster and help people better understand who we all are. This co-ordinated investment allows us to prioritise the themes of identity, the environment, and learning and skills, across the museum experience, ensuring Ulster Folk Museum will serve communities for generations to come.”