We are absolutely thrilled to share the success of Londonderry YMCA’s year-long Heritage Project, which recently culminated in a wonderful afternoon of reminiscing, reflection, and celebration. The event marked the successful completion of this fantastic initiative and officially launched a wealth of new resources created to preserve an incredible 170-year history.
The celebration saw former and current staff, volunteers, and members from across the organisation’s lifetime gather to look back on the project’s achievements. Over the past year, the dedicated team in Londonderry has successfully preserved hundreds of historic documents, photos, trophies, and artefacts, alongside recording dozens of invaluable oral histories.
Guests at the event were the first to view the new permanent heritage exhibit and archive now housed at the Londonderry YMCA centre, as well as the digital highlights and new podcast series now available online.
This milestone marks the culmination of a year of immense hard work and dedication. Thanks to the care and diligence of everyone involved, this rich legacy has been successfully preserved to inspire generations to come.
Special Guests and Tributes
The afternoon was a star-studded affair for the YMCA Ireland community, and we were honoured to welcome several distinguished guests to help mark this milestone:
Mr. Mukesh Sharma: Trustee and Deputy Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee kindly shared encouraging words with attendees. We extend our sincere thanks to Mukesh for his vital and ongoing support.
Lara and Ellen: Two of Northern Ireland’s bright future heritage leaders joined the celebrations for the day.
Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris: Special thanks are extended to the Deputy Mayor for attending and celebrating this important community milestone with the team.
A Community Effort: Acknowledgements and Thanks
This project was made possible through the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
An initiative of this scale requires immense collaboration, and we want to echo Londonderry YMCA’s deepest gratitude to everyone who made it happen:
The Heritage Committee: For your vital guidance, care, and invaluable support throughout the entirety of this journey.
The Attendees: To everyone who joined the celebration, thank you for making it such a memorable afternoon.
Local Business Partners: Sincere thanks to the local businesses and specialists whose expertise and professional support brought this project to reality.
How to Access the Heritage Resources
Whether you want to explore from the comfort of your home or plan a trip to see the physical archive, there are a couple of ways to experience this rich history:
Explore Online: You can explore featured highlights and listen to the brand-new podcast series by visiting the dedicated website here.
Plan an In-Person Visit: While the full archive and exhibit are permanent fixtures at the Londonderry YMCA centre, you can easily arrange a time to view the physical collection by getting in touch with their office directly:
Email: heritage.lderry@ymca-ireland.net
Phone: 0287130166
