Abstract This article contributes to the debate on the increasingly prominent role of museums in the interpretation of what have become known as ‘difficult histories’. It begins by outlining the impact and legacy of contested history within the context of Northern Ireland before focusing on how and why some museums have come to see their role and purpose, and define their social impact, in relation to the increasingly prevalent practice of confronting uncomfortable heritage. The role of National Museums Northern Ireland and its experiences in interpreting contested history then provides the backdrop for a discussion of its recent collaborative project on the seminal events of 1968. The innovative combination of this venture's methodological and theoretical approach, it is argued, provides potentially valuable lessons for the broader challenge of dealing with the difficult legacy of Northern Ireland's past as part of the ongoing peace process and offers a possible blueprint for others to adapt in their efforts to confront their own ‘difficult histories’.

中文翻译：

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博物馆和“艰难的过去”：北爱尔兰的 1968

摘要 本文有助于关于博物馆在解释所谓的“困难历史”方面日益突出的作用的辩论。它首先概述了北爱尔兰背景下有争议的历史的影响和遗产，然后重点关注一些博物馆如何以及为什么开始看到他们的角色和目的，并定义他们的社会影响，与日益普遍的面对不舒服的做法有关。遗产。北爱尔兰国家博物馆的作用及其在解释有争议的历史方面的经验为讨论其最近关于 1968 年开创性事件的合作项目提供了背景。有人认为，该项目的方法论和理论方法的创新组合，