McKelvey Construction Ltd has officially begun work on the £15 million DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum at Ebrington Square in County L'Derry.

The project is supported by the NI Executive Inclusive Future Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Executive Office, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Department for Communities, Garfield Weston & Galewest Investment, and the Wolfson Foundation.

The new museum will occupy one of Derry's most historic sites, a former military base dating back to 1841 that has been redeveloped into a riverside hub combining history, hospitality, creativity, and community space. Construction is expected to be completed by Spring 2027.

The museum will feature six immersive galleries, a hands-on archive discovery zone, expert genealogy services, a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions, and a versatile learning and events space. Collections from the Tower Museum, including the 'Armada Shipwreck ~ La Trinidad Valencera' exhibition and artefacts from the Story of Derry, will be restored and transferred to the new site. Conservators have been appointed to carry out specialised work on selected items prior to the move.

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During the official site commencement, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, noted the importance of the museum as a strategic project within the City Deal Plan, highlighting its role in enhancing the cultural infrastructure of the area. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, National Lottery Heritage Fund representative Stella Byrne, and Wolfson Foundation Chief Executive Paul Ramsbottom also commented on the museum's potential to support community engagement and showcase the region's heritage.

The Tower Museum will cease operations as a visitor attraction, though its building will remain part of the wider City Deal vision and available for future use. A new website has also been launched to provide digital access to the museum’s collections and learning resources.

Further information is available at dnamuseum.com.

Photo credit: Derry Strabane Cncl on X