A Northern Ireland city once the global capital of the shirt making industry and the location for the German U-boat surrender in World War II is counting down to the opening of a multi-million pound museum celebrating its unique contribution to the international stage.

Work on the DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum has just begun with a grand opening planned in Spring  2027.

It will celebrate Derry and the North West's closely held connection with the North Atlantic, the ebb and flow of migration to North America from the island's second largest departure port and the influx of people and goods globally arriving on these shores.

With around 80 million people worldwide claiming full or partial Irish ancestry and 11.6% of the US population also making the same claim, the DNA Museum will have a significant genealogy offering with its own bespoke dedicated service alongside a Reading Room for access to the extensive archive collections.

The museum will also highlight Derry's important role in the genesis of the civil rights movement, and chart its successful journey towards peace and progress.

Derry City and Strabane District Council's Head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter, said the DNA Museum would lead the way in showcasing Derry and the North West's remarkable history.

“The new museum will serve as a vibrant gateway to the North West's heritage and creativity, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates our unique cultural identity,” she said.

“By blending history and innovation, it will enrich the wider tourism offering and create a dynamic space where stories come alive, making the DNA Museum a must-visit destination for those keen to explore Derry's past.”

As Ireland's most intact walled city, Derry is one of the most historic cities in the world and has a plethora of globally significant stories, including iconic US aviator Amelia Earhart touching down here after her historic solo transatlantic flight in 1932.

The city was also known as the world's capital of shirt making and at its height more than 40 factories employed thousands of workers, the vast majority of whom were female and regarded as the original 'Derry Girls'.

The North West coastal waters are also the final resting place for a number of Spanish Armada ships including the galleon, La Trinidad Valencera. Restored artefacts from which will be on display in the DNA Museum.

Derry's strategic location as the Allies' most westerly port also made it a key player in the longest naval campaign of World War II, The Battle of the Atlantic. It was also the port that received the official surrender of the German U-Boat fleet in May 1945 in recognition of the city's role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

These unique stories and the people at the centre of them will be celebrated in the DNA Museum across six state-of-the-art galleries and a dedicated archive discovery zone, with a cast of characters delivering an interactive and experiential attraction for international visitors.

Lead architect for the project is Todd Architects, who have worked on major internationally acclaimed projects such as Titanic Belfast. They have been charged with re-purposing two listed buildings and are leading by combining historic sensitivity with contemporary vision. DNA Museum will transform a former army barracks at Ebrington Square into a sustainably adapted, inclusive environment, all centred around people and place.

Gavin Robinson, Todd Architects, said that DNA is “going to be such a fantastic asset for the city… it's a living exhibition that can only grow.”

The hugely innovative interpretation designs for the museum will be delivered by renowned consultancy, Tandem Design. The practice is known for creating world-class visitor experiences such as The Seamus Heaney HomePlace and the National Famine Museum in Strokestown.

In addition to the immersive galleries and genealogy advice, there will be a hands-on archive discovery zone, a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions, plus a versatile learning and events space.

The themes the museum will explore include:

• The Foyle as a Gateway to the World through Emigration and Commerce 
• An Industrial Heartland of Linen, Whiskey and Shipbuilding 
• A Unique Shirt Factory Heritage powered by the original Derry Girls
• A Border Landscape and People 
• Key to Victory in the Battle of the Atlantic 
• A Resilient Community Steeped in Art and Culture 
• Adventurers and Pioneers in Exploration and Archaeology 

The DNA Museum project is supported by a range of dedicated partners including the NI Executive City Deal/Inclusive Future Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Executive Office, Department for Communities, Garfield Weston & Galewest Investment, the Wolfson Foundation and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

For more about the DNA Museum visit dnamuseum.com