Based in the Bogside's Glenfada Park, The newly renovated Museum of Free Derry has now established itself as a world-class exhibition space and will no doubt attract curious visitors from all over the globe.
Last Thursday's launch attracted many distinguished guests, including the Mayor, Helen Quigley, Guantanamo Bay internee Moazzam Begg and lawyer for the Guilford Four and Birmingham Six, Gareth Peirce. Many Bloody Sunday relatives came to show their support as well as many other local people directly affected by the Troubles. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also called in briefly as proceedings began.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday, told the 'Journal': "The families are delighted, not just the Bloody Sunday families, but all the families connected with the Troubles are really delighted about the museum.
"We're very, very pleased and very, very proud of it."
Mr. Kelly said that Lawrence McElhinney, the last surviving parent of Bloody Sunday now aged 83-years-old, unveiled the plague which officially opened the museum. Mr. McElhinney's son Kevin was murdered in the Bogside on Bloody Sunday, aged only 17-years-old.
Eamonn McCann, Chairperson of the Bloody Sunday Trust, addressed the guests and spoke of the importance of having such a valuable museum. Derry's Mayor Helen Quigley gave a speech, welcoming the museum and praising all involved, and Guantanamo Bay internee Moazzam Begg also spoke at the launch.
Mr. Kelly went on: "The launch was packed with victim's families, internees, funders and other individuals invited to the official launch and the museum was exceptionally well-received.
"The internees at the launch were actually interned at the time of Bloody Sunday. Which is quite symbolic, as the march on Bloody Sunday, was actually about internment," he added.
Over 25,000 items, documents and unique artefacts make up the vast museum archive, with only a fraction of these on display for the first phase of the museum.
Opening hours are 9.30am until 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with extended opening days planned during the summer.
In order to keep the museum open and independent, a small admission fee of £3 or £1.50 will be charged.
However, the museum offers free admission until this Friday, February 2, to give the people of Derry a chance to visit and learn more about their history of Free Derry.