The highly anticipated Broighter Gold collection is now on show to the public at the Tower Museum in Derry where has been catching the attention of local school children who were among the first to view the collection.
Pierre Meyer, Chapel Road PS, displays his piece of jewellery he made at the art workshop with Mayor Martin Reilly and Louise McElhinney, facilitator at the Tower Museum.
During their visit, pupils from Chapel Road Primary School in the Waterside got the opportunity to replicate the ancient treasure, which can be traced back as far as 1st Century BC, and make some gold jewellery of their own when they participated in a series of workshops with local artist Louise McElhinney.
Margaret Edwards, Heritage and Museum Service at Derry City Council, said the provided a “great opportunity” to get children involved in the rich history and heritage of “this precious treasure trove originating from this region.”
She said: “The Broighter Exhibition contains one of the most magnificent collections of ancient gold jewellery which was excavated in Limavady back in 1896.
“The Tower Museum has been included in the tour of the collection from the National Museum and for the first time since it has been discovered it has been returned to Limavady and on to us to us here as part of the City of Culture celebrations.
“We have facilitated art making workshops in which school children have the opportunity to get up close to the gold and make their own replica pieces, participation in which allows for them to learn about the rich heritage, history and personal connection to these pieces and why their importance to this region.”
The Broighter Hoard is on display now until Sunday 8 December and admission is free of charge, opening hours from 10.00am – 5.00pm daily.
However, the Tower will operate late opening until 9.00pm tonight and tomorrow and Thursday and Friday next, 5 and 6 December.
As part of the celebrations in the city, the Broighter Hoard Exhibition will be accompanied by a number of family arts and crafts days from this Saturday to the following Saturday, 7 December, from 12 noon to 4.00pm each day.
There will an opportunity for the entire family to view the ornate pieces on show and get emerged in hours of Broighter relevant free arts and crafts.
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