Museum featuring hundreds of political and military artefacts opens in Derry

A museum featuring a diverse collection of political and military artefacts has opened its doors in Derry.

The museum at Bedlam Antiques, located on Shipquay Street, officially opened its doors to the public last week.

Gary McNicholl, owner of the well-known antique shop, has been collecting a variety of artefacts, uniforms and other items since he was a young boy.

As the collection continued to grow over the years, Gary decided that it should go on display and not remain hidden in boxes.

Gary's late father, Patsy, a native of Dungiven, had successfully run antique shops on Derry's Carlisle Road – 'Bygones' and The Rocking Horse' – since the 1980s.

While helping his father out as a schoolboy, Gary also found his love for antiques.

“I started collecting items when I was younger and it just grew and grew,” explained Gary.

Following his father's death in 2002, Gary decided to continue running the family business, which sells all types of antiques, including jewellery and furniture.

Just before Covid forced many businesses to shut their doors for months on end, the idea of creating a museum in the shop came about.

“We moved into our shop here on Shipquay Street just three days before lockdown but then we had to close,” he said.

“During that time I began building the museum downstairs but as the collection grew we had to move it upstairs.

“I didn't want to part with any of the stuff. I would rather let people see everything than have it lie in boxes downstairs.”

ABOVE: Gary McNicholl, pictured with his mum Margaret, dressed up in some of the uniforms at Bedlam.

Visitors to the museum can take part in an informative audio tour, which reveals interesting facts and the background to many of the items on display.

The museum is divided into five sections.

One section contains items made by former prisoners at both Long Kesh and Portlaoise.

Among the many items on display is a handkerchief signed by ex-prisoners, including former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.

Other unique items include a prison rule book and an inkwell containing a hole from a bullet which had been fired during an escape operation.

Another section features items from the likes of the RUC, the UDR and An Garda Síochána.

ABOVE: Paul and Margaret McNicholl dressed up in uniforms.

RUC uniforms and riot gear as well as rubber bullets and guns are among the many items displayed, as well as a whistle belonging to a police officer who was shot by the IRA in 1994.

A large collection of items local to Derry also feature in the museum, including fragments of the very first car bomb which exploded in the city. 

Items relating to the 1968 Civil Rights march and the 1981 Hunger Strikers are prominent features in the museum.

Other items include a collection of loyalist memorabilia including bullets, guns, medals and a birthday card sent by loyalist paramilitary and community activist Gusty Spence to his nephew.

The stories behind many of the items are explained during the audio tour, including the background to an RAF navigator, who was badly burned in combat and was forced to wear a rubber mask, which is now on display in Bedlam's museum.

At the end of the tour there will be an opportunity to get pictures taken with uniforms and weapons.

ABOVE: Some of those who attended the official opening of the museum.

Since opening the museum last week, Gary has welcomed many people through his doors and so far the feedback has been very positive.

“The feedback has been very good so far. Anyone that has come in has been impressed and, as I say, there's something down there to annoy everybody,” he laughed.

The tour costs £6 per person or £10 for two people.

Bedlam Museum and Sales is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.