Exhibition launch: Revolutionary Routes & The Black Atlantic
Date and time
You are invited to the launch of the Revolutionary Routes: Ireland and The Black Atlantic exhibition at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
About this event
Ireland's Diaspora History is more diverse than you may think.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Department of Foreign Affairs are proud to launch their new exhibition Revolutionary Routes: Ireland & The Black Atlantic as part of the celebrations of Africa Day 2022.
The Exhibition presents twelve stories of departure, arrival and return, tracing histories from the Age of Revolutions (1790s) to the present day, encapsulating Irish diaspora histories of abolition, racism, anti-racism and solidarity.
The event will be formally launched by Irish-Nigerian broadcaster, historian and bestselling author Emma Dabiri. The launch event will also feature Her Excellency Mrs Judith Yolisa Maya, Ambassador of South Africa to Ireland and Colm Brophy, Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora.
Dr Salome Mbugua, CEO of AkiDwA and Dr David Nyaluke of IDPAD Ireland will also speak, celebrating Africa Day 2022. Artwork by Irish Congolese artist Ajao Lawal will also be on display.
Speeches will begin at 6.30pm and refreshments will be served.
These stories, featuring 22 countries and 11 Irish locations allow us to trace inward migration and multiculturalism within Ireland in addition to highlighting the diversity of the diaspora.
Through stories of arrival, departure and return, our exhibition explores questions including:
- Can the history of the Irish abroad help us understand the diversity of modern Ireland and its diaspora?
- How do we tell the Irish emigration story with an acknowledgement of Irish complicity in the racist ideologies that have shaped the modern world?
- Can histories of solidarity between the Irish and African diasporas shape anti-racist struggles today?
The research for this exhibition was carried out by Dr Maurice J Casey, the Department of Foreign Affairs Historian in Residence at EPIC in conjunction with the African American Irish Diaspora Network (AAIDN)
Revolutionary Routes: Ireland & The Black Atlantic will be in display at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum until October 2022. Find out more about the exhibition here.
