Swapping bombs for a BMX in a different look at 1980s NI

The phrases "Northern Ireland" and "1980s" are likely to conjure up images of Army patrols, armoured cars and the aftermaths of bomb attacks and shootings.

But a new exhibition is providing a different outlook on the decade, with just one fleeting reference to the Troubles.

Dr Kris Reid who curated the exhibition says it is about almost everything else.

"When people think of the 80s they think of the Troubles, but the focus here is on what day to day life was like for people and there are so many items here in the museum that focus on music, cinema, games, toys," he said.

"Yes there was this conflict and it had a massive impact on people's lives – but people were still partying; they were still going out and they were still having a good time – especially in the smaller towns."

The exhibition at Down Museum in Downpatrick is a mix of local and broader societal items.

Exhibits on Flickers video club in Ballynahinch, the old Grand Cinema on Downpatrick's Market Street, the summer wonderland of Tropicana and "Ireland's finest roller disco" at Newcastle's Slieve Donard Hotel are complimented with playable computer consoles, VCRs and a Walkman.

The records and tapes of global superstars and local heroes line the walls.

For completeness a pencil is included in the tape exhibit.

If you do not know what that's for, ask your mother or father.

Among the featured musical acts are Rosetta Stone, a Downpatrick band that Reid says were the epitome of "Big in Japan".

Colin McKee, the bass player, has gone from cutting records to printing, designing and copying items in his Irish Street business in the town 40 years later.

"It feels great but it's a bit weird finding yourself in a museum," he said.

"I loved seeing it and fans of the band have contacted me to say they're hoping to get down to see it.

"When I was 15 we were in Tokyo playing in front of 15,000 people.

"The media all descended on Downpatrick. The Japanese, Danish, German. All of the TV crews and we just suddenly went up and that was it.

"We toured the rest of Japan, we toured the rest of the world. I think the only place we didn't do was Australia.

"I didn't even have my driving licence through any of it. It was a hell of an experience."

Testament to this are the Japanese golden disk and 1982 Canadian tour jacket that are featured at the museum.

Since opening, the exhibition has been welcoming a steady stream of school children on their end of year trips.

Among them are Zoe, Bella-May and Kate from St Malachy's in Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland.

"The music is definitely great," Zoe said.

"I listen to David Bowie, Blondie, The Police, The Cure – all that kind of stuff from my dad and they are all here."

The girls see the appeal in some of the toys on display, with Bella-May particularly taken with a pair of roller skates.

On another wall there's a 1984 Skyway BMX - somewhat timely given Downpatrick opened its new BMX pumptrack a matter of months ago.

You might think a DeLorean would be the go-to car at an exhibition like this – but taking centre stage is a pristine white 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth.

It is exactly the type of car that fuelled the dreams of local motorsport fans at the nearby Bishopscourt and Kirkistown circuits.

Before they left, Bella-May, Zoe and Kate pondered what a future exhibition telling the story of life in the 2020s would include.

"Probably TikTok, apps and iPhones and modern day cars," Zoe said.

"Things from modern day houses - phones, iPads. That's what everyone uses nowadays," said Bella-May.

The exhibition runs until the end of the year.