Dozens of Stormont artefacts that are being held in storage should be put on display for members of the public, an MLA has said.
Items in storage include a gilded throne chair, a bust of Archbishop of Canterbury Frederick Temple and a framed letter from the Duke of Edinburgh.
In March 2022, various items were put on display in Stormont as part of a historical project overseen by the late Dr Éamon Phoenix, although many remain in storage.
A list of more than 30 items in storage features artwork, photographs, items of clothing, artefacts and various other miscellaneous pieces.
Artwork includes a portrait of Frederick Temple, the 3rd Marquess of Dufferin, and a portrait of businessman and Conservative politician Lord Armaghdale. There is also a collection of photographs dating back to 1945 — the year of the Allied victory in World War Two.
The artefacts in storage include a carved and gilded throne chair upholstered in red velvet, a ceremonial sword, a table with a map of Northern Ireland’s six counties and a model of Thiepval Tower and an ornamental stand for the bell from the ship HMS Ulster.
In terms of miscellaneous items, there is a framed letter from the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, chandeliers and assorted gifts received by the Speaker’s Office.
A spokesperson for the Assembly Commission said officials completed a review of the items on display in Parliament Buildings in 2022 and installed a new collection of items and images which depicted key figures and events connected to the parliamentary history of the building.
Items in storage
“This review was informed by historical advice from Dr Éamon Phoenix,” the spokesperson added.
“At that time, the portraits and items which the Assembly Commission held in storage, but which were considered of most historical value and relevance to the parliamentary history of the building, were removed from storage and included in the new collection of items on display.
“A variety of items remain in storage, but these were considered to be of more limited relevance to the parliamentary history of the building or of limited historical value.”
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said that, when his predecessor and party leader Jim Allister was first elected to Stormont, portraits of some of Northern Ireland’s former Prime Ministers were hidden away in storage.
He said: “Beautiful and valuable portraits of Lord Craigavon, Lord Brookeborough, our wartime leader JM Andrews, along with a painting of First World War hero and IRA murder victim Sir Henry Wilson are now on display for the public to enjoy — but only because Jim campaigned for years on the issue.
“Before that, they had been hidden under dust sheets in Mallusk.
“That said, as this answer shows there remains a number of important items which remain hidden.
“Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 3rd Marquess of Dufferin and Ava was far from an insignificant figure, having served in both the Boer and First World Wars and serving as speaker of the Senate.
“Personally, I believe his portrait would fit in well with the current display particularly given that Lord Craigavon also served in the Boer War.
“Additionally, the current display fails to give sufficient attention to the Senate which served as the Upper House of our parliament for half a century.”
Mr Gaston said the map of Northern Ireland’s six counties “deserves a wider audience” and he will be strongly pressing the Assembly Commission on the matter.