About William Blair
William Blair has been Director of Collections at National Museums Northern Ireland since 2017, with overall responsibility for curatorial and collections services. He is part of a senior executive team delivering transformational and sustainable change for the organisation. He is leading on the organisation’s strategic approach to dealing with the legacy of the past, alongside inclusive equitable approaches to identity and cultural expression.
“Colonialism is a term that I didn’t think of a great deal until relatively recently, but most of the time I, when I do, if I was to be perfectly honest about it, it makes me think of Ireland, rather than the Empire, or Ireland, in the context of a very early stage in a process of Empire, but actually, it probably makes me feel defensive.”
In Conversation with William Blair
Cowfish, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Pufferfish, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Red-billed streamertail birds, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Sea horses, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Shark, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Purse made from seeds, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Necklace made from seeds, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Hair accessory or brooch made from shells, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Hat made from coconut fibres, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Album containing photos of people in Jamaica, collected by Joseph Warnock (1871-1909), second great uncle to William Blair, during his tours of duty with the Royal Engineers in Jamaica, c.1900.
Joseph Warnock Collection at National Museums NI
Aerial photo of William Blair's paternal grandparents' farm in the Maze, Co. Down, taken in the early 1960s.
A framed photo of Lord Roberts that hung in the farmhouse home of William Blair's paternal grandparents in the Maze, Co. Down. Blair grew up in a house built nearby.
Print of ‘Canadians at the Coronation’, depicting a parade during the coronation of Edward VII in August 1902, that was also displayed in Blair's grandparents' home.
William Blair's father, wearing his UDR uniform. c. 1974
William Blair aged 6 in 1974, wearing his father's UDR beret.
“When reflecting on the British Empire and its relevance or to identity in contemporary Northern Ireland, I immediately return to my ‘70s childhood. From the perspective of 2023 and my current professional focus, I find it remarkable how much my formative sense of identity revolved around so many uncritical certainties. I grew up on a diet of popular entertainment and films of the Second World War and stories of Empire permeated my outlook.”
These words and images are William Blai’s. To share your own words or images, please contact us.