Stories

Our collections tell the story of our shared experiences. These articles help to connect the dots around who we are, the past we share and the future we are building together.

A postcard with a ship on the front, reading 'overseas greetings'.

Stories

The McBrien Postcard Collection

Join Fiona McClean, Curatorial Assistant, in exploring the McBrien postcard collection - 'the instant messages of the time'.

A greeting card for Saint Patrick's Day, reading 'a greeting from over the sea'.

Stories

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a celebration that began in Ireland, moved to America, and then returned in the later 20th century to reinvigorate the homeland celebrations.

A woman stands outside a cottage dressed in traditional 19th century clothing. She is feeding geese and ducks.

Stories

Making Mrs Mellon

Our Visitor Guide, Pamela Gunn, has interpreted Mrs Mellon for multiple years. Join us on International Women's Day as we explore her story.

A man sits for a photograph in the late 1800s. He looks strong and stoic, facing away from the camera.

Stories

Frederick Douglass

The 14th of February is marked as Frederick Douglass Day. Learn more about his life and Ulster connections with Liam Corry, Curator of Emigration.

Learn more about our commitment

Mellon Migration

Begin the Journey

Resources

The Mellon Migration Story

Learn more about the story of Thomas Mellon and migration

1/5

Serial

An Irish Goodbye

Discover what Thomas Mellon's life was like in Ulster, before he left for America.

A log cabin, made of two rooms. Behind the cabin are large trees. To the left, the leaves are brownish red; to the right, they are green.

2/5

Serial

A New Beginning

The Mellons arrive in America to new beginnings in a log cabin.

Bad Bridget

Interview

Finding Bad Bridget

Hear from Dr Elaine Farrell (Queen's University) and Dr Leanne McCormick (Ulster University) who came up with the concept for the exhibition.

Jan Carson at the Bad Bridget Exhibition

Interview

The Stories Behind Bad Bridget

East Belfast author, Jan Carson talks to us about her process for writing each of the monologues of our Bad Bridget's.

Photograph of scent designer Tasha Marks at the Bad Bridget exhibition

Interview

Storytelling through Scent

Learn how scent designer Tasha Marks responds to history in an olfactory way, to imagine what sort of smells would help to tell the story of Bad Bridget.

Stories

The McBrien Postcard Collection

Developing the narrative

St. Patrick's Day

Making Mrs Mellon

Frederick Douglass

Reframing the Rogan House

Unravelling Thanksgiving

Murmurations Sculpture

An Ulster Emigrant and Enslavement

Independence Day: A Cause For Celebration?

Mellon Migration

The Mellon Migration Story

An Irish Goodbye

A New Beginning

Life in America

Success in America

The Return to Ireland

Bad Bridget

Finding Bad Bridget

The Stories Behind Bad Bridget

Storytelling through Scent

Reimagining Bad Bridget