Irish Jews celebrated in exhibition

From left, Belfast Lord Mayor Brian Kingston, Prof Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Barry Montgomery, lead researcher, Prof Pol O Dochartaigh, principal investigator, Dr Ruth Gilligan, Brid Vi Mhorain and Marie-Claire Peters from University of Ulster

The history of Jewish people in Ireland and how they are represented in Irish literature has been revealed through a joint landmark research project between Ulster University and the National University of Ireland, Galway.

The research has resulted in a travelling exhibition which opened at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast yesterday.
More than 1,000 pieces of literature from the medieval period through to modern times were examined to chronicle the attitudes towards Jewish people in Ireland.
The results expose the prejudice that once existed towards the stereotypical wandering Jew, for example, but also reveals a later celebration of a vibrant community at ease with its dual sense of Jewish-Irish identity that made a major contribution to Irish life. The exhibition continues until September 30.