Help shape archaeology strategy
WORK has been ongoing for a while now, to develop a 10-year strategy for Ireland’s Archaeology. The strategy is called ‘Archaeology 2025’ and will examine the importance of archaeology to the Irish people, and how best it can be preserved and promoted.
The strategy has already undergone an extensive public consultation phase and it will be published very shortly. To form part of the publication, photographs are now being sought, on the themes of ‘Engaging with Archaeology’ and ‘Abstract Archaeology’. Anyone with photos to share in keeping with these two themes is requested to email them (high resolution) to maryteehan@discoveryprogramme.ie prior to Wednesday 7th September. The successful images, to be included in this important publication, will be selected by Friday 30th September, 2016.
Meanwhile, historian Barry Keane is undertaking a very worthwhile project on Cork people who lost their lives during the 1916 – 1923 period. To date, Barry has investigated the details of over 730 people who lost their lives and is now seeking the input of local groups and individuals who may have photos/ portraits that they could share for use in a designated website and possible publication. So far approximately 150 photographs have been collated, relating mostly to the more well known names.
Anyone who may kindly have photos to share can contact Barry Keane, Glendalough Park, Cork, by emailing bkeanefg@yahoo.com or by phoning 087-7903436. This research will of great benefit to the County of Cork and Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit is very supportive of it.
In relation to Heritage Unit publications, work is ongoing regarding the fourth installment in the Heritage of County Cork Series, to be titled ‘Heritage Centenary Sites of County Cork’. A recent talk on the scope of the publication was given during Heritage Week and was very well received.
Following a number of requests, Heritage Bridges of County Cork, the first in the series, is now back in print and available from the County Hall and throughout the county in a number of bookshops.
In relation to upcoming events, September is a month to really look forward to and the coming week will see plenty on offer. On Saturday 3rd September, Crosshaven and Ballygarvan will be busy with all things 1916. Commencing at 1pm in Camden Fort Meagher, Crosshaven, there will be a Remembrance Ceremony for World War One’s ‘Fallen Irish of 1916’. Those present on the day, including a number of relatives of those who were killed or fought through WW1, will lay a memorial wreath in the Garden of Remembrance.
In Ballygarvan, a plaque to commemorate the Irish Volunteers will be unveiled at the old school/community centre at 2.30pm. The event, which has been organised by Ballygarvan and District Local History Society, will include a march, a reading of the Proclamation, an oration by a local historian and a performance of music and Irish dancing. All are welcome.
The following day, Sunday 4th September, will also be busy by way of 1916 commemorations when Newtownshandrum hosts a large community centenary commemorative event. Organised by the Newtownshandrum 1916 Commemoration Committee, the day will see the unveiling of a plaque to the Newtown Company as well as a range of other activities on the day.
Sunday, September 11th, is also one for the diary when the Cúl na Catharach Ambush Site will be remembered and an ‘app’ as well as a new information board will be launched. The event commences at 12.30pm when Tom Meaney will describe the event and the precise movements that took place, with said movements being portrayed in real time at the site through the use of over 100 indicative flags. This will be followed by the unveiling of the information board itself and all gathered will then make their way to the Mills Inn in Ballyvourney, where refreshments will be served from 3pm.
The ambush at Cúl na Catharach, was among the most critical events during the War of Independence and many believe it led to the British entering into negotiations and ultimately the signing the Treaty itself. All are welcome to attend on the day.
Next week’s article will outline further events taking place throughout September, including the international O’Keeffe Clan Gathering as well as the O’Leary Clan Gathering, both taking place from September 9th to 11th in Creedon’s Hotel, Inchigeela and Dromtarriffe, Kanturk, respectively.