Never The Same

16 ECHOES

Location: Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Sinead O'Neill-Nicholl
Sinead O'Neill-Nicholl
Sinéad O'Neill-Nicholl is a multi-disciplinary artist using a range of new media to create audio installations and who engages in live art performance to explore contemporary themes of gender, identity, truth and justice. Examining the power structures at play within language and the methods used to silence the voice of the 'other', Sinéad's recent practice involves the creation of spatial audio environments using the agency of sound as a method of resistance. Working at the intersection of contemporary fine art and technology, Sinead is a current member and Trustee of Vault Artist Studios who received the 2020 University of Atypical Graduate Award and 2019 Arts Council NI SIAP award.

In order to get the best experience and to enjoy all of the available sounds, move slowly around the space to allow your GPS to keep up with your movements. When one of the sounds is activated, pause at the spot to hear the full recording. The sound is loudest in the centre of each circle and some of the recordings intentionally overlap, therefore at some points you may hear more than one recording at a time. Moving slowly towards the centre of each circle and away from the previous circle will ensure that you only hear one sound piece at a time.

Beginning at the former site of McGurk's Bar, Never The Same allows the relatives of those killed in the McGurk's Bar Bombing of 1971 to share memories of their loved ones and explore the personal aspects of grief and loss. As you move around the locality, different audio recordings will become available. Fifteen people were killed in the bomb, including two children and many more were injured. At the 50th anniversary of the event, the families are still engaged in a 'Campaign for Truth' to uncover the facts about the bombing. Additional sound recordings will continue to be added over the course of 2021. CONTENT WARNING - SOME OF THESE SOUND RECORDINGS CONTAIN CONVERSATIONS THAT DISCUSS THE RESULTING IMPACT OF A PERSON OR PERSONS BEING KILLED BY A BOMB. THE DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT GRAPHIC IN NATURE BUT MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME LISTENERS. Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

insistence through absence/stranger in the room

Kathleen Irvine was a 53 year old mother. Kitty, as she was known, lost her life in the McGurk's Bar Bombing on 4th December 1971. Kitty's husband, John Irvine was injured in the bomb.
Kitty and John had visited the family run bar and were enjoying a pure orange and a Guinness, respectively, as they sat with their friends, Sarah and Edward Keenan.

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

her new clothes on, her hair done and her lipstick

The 4th December 1971 was a day like any other but the events of that night are engrained in the memories of those who lost their family members in the bombing of McGurk's Bar. These recordings have been made with some of the relatives who were killed as a way of honouring the memory of all those affected by the bomb and the aftermath. Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

the lie

The false allegations that were published about the bombing just hours after the atrocity took place Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

denial, delay and death/the monolith

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

the first time I saw a man cry

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

a merchant seaman/what should happen

Philip Garry was a 73 year old school patrolman and former merchant seaman who lost his life in the McGurk's Bar Bombing on the 4th December, 1971.
His family share their personal memories and discuss the impact of his loss. Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

they were trying to connect us

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

somebody that I loved

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

just put on another coat

Every year on the 4th December, the families go the former site of McGurk's Bar to remember those that were killed Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some slight glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

he was innocent/you can feel the fear

he was innocent Philip Garry sat alone at the bar drinking a pint of Guinness, before the bomb exploded.

you can feel the fear When the funerals of those who were killed in the McGurk's Bar bombing took place, crowds gathered at the Shankill Road, jeering and throwing missiles at the funeral cortege.

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

all the women got their wages that day/my life changed dramatically

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

they have let us down/truth justice acknowledgement

The families have engaged with all of the public bodies that have been set up to investigate historical cases.

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

the last tour

The present meets the past in this unusual revelation about one of the relatives

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

like most men of his time

The people killed in the McGurk's Bar were falsely accused of making or transporting a bomb. This was not true, they were just enjoying their evening in a family run pub.

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

time for me to do something

The events of McGurk's against a wider backdrop of violence had a lasting impact on the families

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

he had a swear box at the counter

Listeners should be aware that these recordings have been made via online software in order to comply with Covid regulations and as such may contain some minor glitches. This is not an issue with the Echoes Explorer App

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