The lived experiences of organisers, exhibitors and visitors to the Balmoral Show, Winter Fair and Kings Hall is celebrated in a new publication launched at Balmoral Park, 15 May 2013.
Drawing on a series of interviews conducted by Olive Mercer, ‘Capturing Memories’ provides an overview of the various shows and exhibitions associated by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS). Picking up themes of cross-community and cross-border co-operation in farming, it paints a striking picture of camaraderie and inter-dependency.
On the occasion of a historic relocation to Balmoral Park, RUAS officials, judges and exhibitors from North and South share their thoughts and feelings about current and future developments.
‘Capturing Memories’ is part of the wider Peace Process: Layers of Meaning project; an ambitious collaboration between Queen Mary, University of London, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin. This work is supported by the EU’s PEACE III programme.
President of the RUAS, Mr John Bamber said: “As President I am delighted to have been able to contribute and be involved in the Peace Process: Layers of Meaning Project. I hope I have been able to provide some insight into how the RUAS has been an intricate part of Northern Ireland's society and history.”
Olive Mercer’s innovative study has created an important archive on the history of the Balmoral Show, Winter Fair and Kings Hall and will be of great interest to the agricultural community, those who have faithfully attended the Balmoral Show, and all those interested in community heritage.
For media queries please contact Sarah Lorimer; Research Officer with the Peace Process: Layers of Meaning Project, Department of Humanities, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk at: sarahcatherine.lorimer@dkit.ie or tel: +44 7917886957.