Ulster Museum

The exhibition is grouped in sections guiding the visitor from the early 20th century to the present day. It includes paintings of Young British Artists of the 1920s and 1930s, bought by the Ulster Museum thanks to the Lloyd Patterson bequest and hung in this way for the first time. Other parts of the exhibition explore the developments in post-war British and International Art and the Brave New World of the 1970s until the present day.

The exhibition also includes the museum’s recent acquisition Pure to Another (Portrait of Brian Kennedy), 2011 by Colin Davidson in a display of our important collection of portraits, also including Edward McGuire’s iconic portrait of Seamus Heaney.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Current-Exhibitions/Highlights-of-the-Modern-Collection

Sir John Lavery is best known as a society portraitist and for a remarkable series of formal portraits of politicians and prelates. This small exhibition looks instead at the private world of Sir John Lavery, and brings together portraits he painted of his wife and muse, Hazel, his daughter Eileen and step-daughter Alice. The exhibition sets the scene for these family portraits by including landscapes of places, such as Tangier in North Africa, which he visited many times.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Current-Exhibitions/Lavery-s-World

From Actinium to Zirconium, it’s time to get switched on to science with a journey along the periodic table! Get set for an odyssey that will take you from the rocks beneath your feet to the most distant and ancient reaches of the Universe.

From microscopic viruses to vast galaxies – and you too – all are made from elements. In this new exhibition, find out where the elements were made, how they occur naturally, what they look like, how we use them, and why they can be dangerous!

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Current-Exhibitions/Elements---From-Actinium-to-Zirconium

Elements are the basic building materials of matter. They are what make everything that you can see or feel around you, and a lot that you can't.

From Actinium to Zirconium, it’s time to get switched on to science with a journey along the periodic table! Get set for an odyssey that will take you from the rocks beneath your feet to the most distant and ancient reaches of the Universe.

From microscopic viruses to vast galaxies – and you too – all are made from elements. In this new exhibition, find out where the elements were made, how they occur naturally, what they look like, how we use them, and why they can be dangerous!

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Current-Exhibitions/Elements---From-Actinium-to-Zirconium

This major new exhibition brings together the work of 50 artists from Northern Ireland and beyond including Joe McWilliams, Willie Doherty, FE McWilliam, Rita Duffy, Paul Seawright, Jack Pakenham, Micheal Farrell and Richard Hamilton. The exhibition features a broad representation of artists’ responses to the Troubles.

Art of the Troubles offers avenues for exploring the way in which the Troubles have been viewed by a range of artists and for reflecting on the manifestations and impact of violence and division in our society.

The exhibition comprises 60 works, including paintings, drawings, photographs, videos and sculpture. It explores a broad range of themes including violence and destruction, suffering and loss, traditions and life in the midst of turmoil.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Current-Exhibitions/The-Art-of-the-Troubles

Heavy Elements from Giant Red Stars

• 24 July 2014 7:30-9pm

On a journey through the life and times of different stars, Amanda will tell the story of the origin of the elements through cosmic time.

The origin of the elements is intimately tied to stellar evolution, the way that nuclear fusion changes stars with time.

Astronomers can explain the origin of most of the elements in nature but an intriguing mystery is the creation of elements heavier than iron. Investigating the role of Sun-like stars during their advanced ‘red giant’ stage of evolution is playing a key role in solving this puzzle.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 14-15
• 16-17

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Heavy-elements-from-giant-red-stars

Elements Gallery Tours

• 30 July 2014 1-2pm
• 28 August 2014 1-2pm
• 26 September 2014 1-2pm
• 22 October 2014 2-3pm
• 18 November 2014 2-3pm

Join Dr. Mike Simms, curator of Elements, on a tour of the Elements exhibition. Discover what inspired it, and be inspired yourself by the variety of objects and the stories behind them, from the mundane to the remarkable.

Booking recommended.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Events/Elements-gallery-tours

Longhorn Beetle Identification Course

• 31 July 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

Dr Roy Anderson will present a talk on how to identify Longhorn beetles. We will then take a walk around Loughgall Country Park and Loughgall Nature Reserve to find and identify species. Bring along a hand lens if you have one.

Location: Conference Room, Manor House, AFBI Loughgall, Co. Armagh.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/Longhorn-beetle-identification-course

Dragonfly and Damselfly Identification Course

• 9 August 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

Dr Brian Nelson will use the newly published Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ireland to help us identify species of Damselfly and Dragonfly found at Peatlands Park.

This course will focus on late-flying species associated with the ponds and bog habitat within the park. We will mostly be on well surfaced paths and boardwalks but footwear suitable for wet ground is advised.

Location: Education Room, Peatlands Park, Dungannon, Co. Armagh.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/Dragonfly-and-Damselfly-Identification-Course-late

Introduction to Grasshoppers and Related Insects

• 16 August 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

The course will provide introduction to the species of grasshopper and related insects found in Ireland.

Part of the day will be spent in the field looking for and listening for the locally-found species.

The aim is to increase observers confidence in providing records of this poorly recorded group.

Location: Education Room, Roe Valley Country Park, Dogleap Road, Limavady, Co. Londonderry.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/grasshoppers

Freshwater Snail Identification Course

• 20 August 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

Dr Roy Anderson will present a talk on how to identify Freshwater snails. We will then drive to various locations along the Quoile to find and identify species. Bring a hand lens if you have one.

Location: Commedagh Room, Downshire Civic Centre, Down District Council Offices, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 6GQ & Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/freshwater-snail-identification-course

Leaf-miner Moth Identification Workshop

• 2 September 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

This two-day course finishes on Wednesday 3 September, at 16:30.

Dave Grundy will be coming over from Birmingham to deliver this two day course on how to identify Leaf-miner moths. This is a residential course, based at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, but we also anticipate visiting nearby sites to collect additional leaf mines to identify. This course will include an evening session on the Tuesday evening.

Location: Residential Centre, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/leaf-miner-moth-identification-course

Fungi Identification Course

• 10 September 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

Based at An Carn, Mr Mark Wright will be leading this fungi identification course. After lunch, we will visit Drumnaph Nature Reserve to find and identify fungi.

Location: An Carn Centre, Maghera, Co. Londonderry.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/fungi-identification-course

Bryophyte Identification Workshop

• 23 September 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

This two-day workshop ends on Wednesday 24 September.

This workshop will introduce participants to the skills required for bryophyte (moss and liverwort) identification. We will look at the key identification features of bryophytes, learn how to use a field key and visit a peatland and woodland site to look at bryophytes in the field.

Location: Residential Centre, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/bryophyte-identification-course

Lotions and Potions with Scientific Sue

• 27 September 2014 12:30-1:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm
• 29 October 2014 12:30-1:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm

In a spectacular demonstration, prepare for lots of audience participation, explosions, mess, fun and learning. If you need anyone exploded - bring them along!

Suitable for

• 11-13
• 14-15
• 16-17
• 18+

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Events/Lotions-and-Potions-with-Scientific-Sue

Lichens as Environmental Indicators Course

• 7 October 2014 9:30am-4:30pm

Dr Mike Simms will deliver a talk on lichens as environmental indicators. Following the morning workshop, we will visit nearby sites to find species to identify using the new Field Studies Council (FSC) guide (supplied). Bring a hand lens if you have one.

Location: Roe Valley Country Park, Dogleap Road, Limavady, Co. Londonderry.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Admission

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Courses---Workshops/lichen-indicators-course

Elements of the Universe

• 11 October 2014 11am-4:30pm

As World Space Week draws to a close, join the museum’s meteorite expert and curator of the Elements exhibition to find out about, and handle, some of these objects from Outer Space and the elements they contain.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Events/Elements-of-the-Universe

Elements of the Earth

• 18 October 2014 11am-4:30pm

Come along to the Ulster Museum to join in a host of activities during Earth Science Week. A chance to experiment with earthquakes and volcanoes, to make fossil casts, and to find out about, and handle, some of the museum’s collection of rocks, minerals and element samples.

Suitable for

• Any age

Taming the Elements 1: What's in My Stuff?

• 21 October 2014 7:30-9pm

Hywel and Maria will describe their early experiences of bringing science and art together in this interdisciplinary research project that raises awareness of the chemical elements within everyday objects.

Combining deconstruction and materials analysis (the science) with creative arts, components from mobile phones are used to inspire and make beautiful objects, while highlighting some of the issues surrounding Earth’s finite element resources.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-1--What

Taming the Elements 2: The Origin of the Elements

• 28 October 2014 7:30-9pm

The origin of the chemical elements is a part of the life story of the Universe. Many elements are created inside stars, others during dramatic supernova explosions and, for a few, can be traced all the way back to the Big Bang.

Stuart will describe our current understanding of how the most common elements were formed and how studying their creation can help us answer some of the big questions in modern astronomy.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-2--The-

Taming the Elements 3: The First World War

• 4 November 2014 7:30-9pm

Poison gases were first employed in the 1914-18 war but the fatalities from them were few compared to those killed through the application of high explosives and synthetic propellants.

Large-scale manufacturing based on organic chemistry really started with the synthetic dyestuffs industry of the 19th Century. This underpinned the industrial production of these more lethal materials, particularly in Germany, and the lecture will include at least one demonstration of early dyeing.

The talk is particularly pertinent as we approach Remembrance Sunday.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-3--The-

Taming the Elements 4: New Challenges for Geology

• 11 November 2014 7:30-9pm

The Geological Survey's Tellus programme mapped the distribution of 55 trace elements and compounds in soils and streams across the Province.

Mike will look at the implications of these results and consider the challenges we face in supplying our mineral and energy needs while at the same time protecting the environment.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-4--New-

Taming the Elements 5: Bringing the Periodic Table to Life

• 18 November 2014 7:30-9pm

BAFTA Awards winner Max Whitby, from periodictable.com, has worked with Theodore Gray, author of The Elements, to create physical displays of the periodic table incorporating real elements.

Among more than 50 such displays around the world, their installation at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia includes a video wall demonstrating, in spectacular fashion, the properties of each element.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 14-15
• 16-17

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-5--Brin

Elements: Dorothy Hodgkin, Patterns and the Nobel Prize

• 2 December 2014 7:30-9pm

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1964 yet, half a century later, she is still the only British woman scientist to have been so honoured.

Her lifelong interest in natural and artificial patterns began in childhood, and led to a career analysing the arrangements of atoms in crystals of biologically-important molecules such as penicillin and insulin.

Hodgkin’s biographer Georgina Ferry discusses the many factors that led to her exceptional success.

Suitable for

• 18+
• 16-17

Website

https://nmni.com/um/What-s-on/Talks---Lectures/Taming-the-Elements-lecture-series-Lecture-7--Doro