West Inishowen History & Heritage Society

2017 EVENTS

Spring/summer 2017: WIH&HS programme

Saturday, 21 January, 10.00 am – 3.00 pm, Archive Project resumes after Christmas break [project committee only, please check your emails]
Friday, 27 January, 12.30-2.30 pm (Guildhall: Derry~Londonderry), committee members travelling to Derry to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the SS Laurentic Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Laurentic Commemoration Lunch [invite only, committee event. More info available here]
Thursday, 02 February, 8.30-10.30 pm (The Exchange, Buncrana), WIH&HS AGM followed by a talk by John O’Raw (DIT/LYIT) entitled ‘Using Geophysics to Support Archaeological Research’. Refreshments will be provided. Free entry (donations appreciated). All welcome! More info available here and here
February 2017: WIH&HS 2017 Newsletter Launched (€2 each). Featuring articles on Mabel Colhoun and HMS Terror in Lough Swilly and a review of the 2016 Lands of Eoghan festival.
Tuesday, 14 March 2017: WIH&HS Study Group Resumes after the winter break. All interested parties please check your emails.
Sunday, 26 March 2017: Prehistoric Monument Hill Walk [members only event, please check your emails]
Thursday, 30 March 2017: Belfast Archive Trip [committee only event, please check your emails]
Monday, 3 April 2017: Committee Members Traveling to Creative Ireland event in Letterkenny

6 – 12 April, 2017: The fifth annual Amazing Grace Festival

This years festival will explore the theme “Hope” with a whole range of events, exhibitions and programmes for all the family. Watch out especially for:

It is almost that time of year again so please come along and support one of the most amazing festivals in the northwest! We will once again be involved, especially with regard to the annual John Newton Lecture which we will be hosting. The full list of WIH&HS and related events are as follows:

John Newton Experience – interactive history exhibition suitable for all ages. Free entry

Location: Church of Ireland Hall, Church Street, Buncrana.

Opening Times:

Thursday 6 April : 10.30 – 5pm

Friday 7 April: 10.30 – 5pm

Saturday 8 April: 2 – 7pm

Sunday 9 April: 4 – 6pm

Monday 10 April: 10.30 – 5pm

Tuesday 11 April: 10.30 – 5pm

The Annual John Newton Lecture: Thursday 6 April (8 pm: The Exchange, Castle Avenue, Buncrana)

This annual lecture explores history and social justice issues. Now in its 6th year, the lecture is hosted by the West Inishowen History and Heritage Society. This year, guest lecturer Rev. Steve Donald will talk about “Newton the Mentor”. John Newton’s role in mentoring younger men and women through letter writing and personal visits. Featuring Live Music and Refreshments.

Feile Dochas: Saturday 8 April at Buncrana Shorefront

West Inishowen History and Heritage Society will also be on hand at this Community Arts Festival (marking the anniversary of John Newton’s arrive on the shores of Lough Swilly in 1748). There will be opportunities for find out more about the history of the shorefront area with memories of the Swilly Hotel and information about the lighthouse.

Guided Walking Tour: Tuesday 11 April

Leaving at 2pm from outside the Tourist Office in Railway Road and taking in the Amazing Grace Park, the Amazing Grace walk and the Amazing Grace Viewing point with fascinating stories and historical information along the way, the tour will end with tea and buns at The Exchange, Castle Avenue (free transfers back to the Tourist Office or to the John Newton Experience available).

We will have WIH&HS membership forms at most events so if you want to sign up as a member please do (online forms and further important available here). Please find the entire programme here 2017 Amazing Grace Festival Programme.

Friday 21 April – Saturday 22 April, 2017 (The Exchange: Main Venue): Join Dr Nuala McAllister Hart as she delivers a fascinating talk on the life and times of renowned Irish tenor Josef Locke. This talk marks both the centenary of Locke’s birth in Derry and the launch of Dr Hart’s new book on the singer (copies will be available). A two day exhibition will run in conjunction with the talk. Admission to all events is free of charge (donations appreciated). All welcome! More information available here
Thursday April 2017 (Carndonagh PSC 6.45-9.00): WIH&HS members travelling to the following – Donegal Public Participation Network are hosting a meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District Meeting. To find out more about the PPN go along and hear what has been happening to date. More information available here [Committee only event]

Saturday 6 May (Presbyterian Church, Lagg, Malin): There is a whole day of events to celebrate the life and legacy of Mabel Colhoun: A Pioneer in Inishowen Heritage. West Inishowen History & Heritage Society will be on hand with a unique exhibition of artefacts from Mabel‘s archive and the coordinator of our Mabel Colhoun Cataloguing Project Dr Michael Liam Gorry will give a talk on our progress so far (our archeologist John Hegarty has alas been called away on a dig). See you there! More details available here

Saturday 27 May 2017 (Letterkenny Library – 9.30am – 4.00 pm): WIH&HS committee members travelling to Letterkenny Library to attend Oral History Training Workshop. Pre Booking and registration is essential.
May 2017: Fanad Hills Research Trip [More info to follow. Currently at planning stage]

Thursday 8 June 2017 (The Exchange, Buncrana): Join West Inishowen History & Heritage Society for this fantastic event relating to one of Inishowen’s most successful literary creations, Charles McGlinchey’s ‘Last of the Name‘. Filmmaker Paul McCarroll will be in attendance accompanied by others involved in the film ‘The Last of the Name’ to give an insight into the classic book, the current film and the enduring legacy of Charles McGlinchey’s Inishowen based stories. Copies of the book and the DVD will be available on the night. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is free of charge (donations appreciated). All welcome! More info available here

_____________________________________

West Inishowen History & Heritage Society

Summer School 2017

Monday 5 June – Sunday 11 June, 2017: Join West Inishowen History & Heritage Society once again for their 7th Annual Summer School, ‘The History of Sport in West Inishowen’

Events and outings include:

The History of North West Golf Club
(The Exchange, Tuesday 6 June, 8pm)

The Legacy of Charles McGlinchey’s ‘Last of the Name’
See Event Page Here (The Exchange, Thursday 8 June, 8pm)***

The History of Boxing in West Inishowen
(The Exchange, Friday 9 June, 8pm)

Members Only Field Trip
(Sunday 11 June, all members please check your emails)

***‘The Last of the Name’ film will be shown in Buncrana Cinema on Monday 5 June. For more details please see: https://www.facebook.com/Buncrana-Cinema-130512053636403/

Summer School Main Event Page Available Here

_____________________________________

Friday 23 June 2017 (Tower Museum, Derry~Londonderry, 7-9 pm): Mabel Remington Colhoun – Cataloguing Her Life’s Work. WIH&HS PRO Dr Michael Liam Gorry will be delivering a talk relating to our Mabel R Colhoun cataloging project. This is an ongoing project facilitated by the Tower Museum which will include an exhibition to be launched later in June. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 028 7137 2411 or Tower@derrystrabane.com. Event page available here

Sunday 25 June 2017 (The Exchange, Buncrana, 2-4 pm): Under the Sea Art Workshop. All age workshop led by WIH&HS committee member Terry Tedstone to create simple, fun and colourful props for a pageant parade happening in August as part of National Heritage Week (see below). Event page available here. Event held in conjunction with Feel Good Fortnight 2017.
June 2017: Fahan Hill Research Trip [More info to follow. Currently at planning stage]
July 2017 (The Exchange, Buncrana): Archaeology Talk and Exhibition [further details to follow)

__________________________________________________________________

West Inishowen History & Heritage Society

2017 National Heritage Week Events

This August join the multi award winning West Inishowen History & Heritage Society as they run a whole host of events for National Heritage Week 2017. Everything from Family Fun days to Hill Walks, from Guided Tours to History Talks. Support your local history society!

Main Facebook event page available here: WIH&HS 2017 NHW Page

Programme of Events:

Saturday 19 August, 3pm – 5pm: Under The Sea: Family Fun Event (Shortfront Buncrana)

Fun for all the family. There will be a colourful pageant, beach treasure hunt, sandcastle competition, games and fun activities to celebrate and explore our natural shorefront. Admission free. Check our facebook and webpage for further details.

Access & Parking: Suitable for Children under 12/Wheelchair Access (Partial)/Car Parking Available

Event Page: http://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event/under-the-sea-family-fun-event