Dromahair

HARNESSING LEITRIM’S ORAL HISTORY.

Was your Granny’s the first family in the village to own a TV? Was your elderly neighbour used to going to house dances? was your former teacher was brought up on a farm, dining out on their own bacon supply?

Everyone has a story to tell and passing these stories on through generations is what makes our culture and traditions so rich. Leitrim County Council’s Heritage Office, with funding from the Heritage Council, is launching an Oral History Project to harness our local stories and memories. Oral history is evidence of the past told directly by those who actually experienced it; it is living history and part of our everyday lives.

Now is your opportunity to get involved. Send some highlights from your interview, between 200 words to 800 words, and including an overview of the person, their memories and stories, to the Leitrim Heritage Officer (smalone@leitrimcoco.ie). We’ll consider these and get back to you to let you know if we want to add these to our Oral History Project.

Closing date for submissions June 1. We want to hear first hand stories about what life was like across Leitrim decades ago, and gather experiences, attitudes and practices directly from those who know best. We want to connect our modern community with the cultures and traditions which have shaped today’s Leitrim. And we need your help to do it. We are looking for people to go find those stories and bring them to us.

Our elderly family members, neighbours and friends may be in self-isolation at the moment but we can still connect with them about their past recollections. You can ask your grandparent over a Skype, shout across to a neighbour or write to someone you know. And let us know what you’ve gathered. We’ll consider the stories as a platform for our Connecting Through Heritage project later this year and pick our favourites.

We’ll then help you interview and record your subject so that these conversations and stories can be preserved for the future and will form part Leitrim County Library’s Local Studies collection where generations to come will be able to access and enjoy them.

Go to leitrimheritage.ie for tips on how to prepare for and carryout you interview. ‘Connecting Through Heritage’ is a Leitrim County Council Heritage Project which is funded by the Heritage Council. This Oral History Project has been run in partnership with Leitrim County Council Heritage Office, Leitrim County Council Library Service and One Little Studio.

MASS

All of you who are missing going to Mass at this difficult time can log in to Fr Patsy McDermott PP Killenummery and Killery on Facebook. Fr Patsy McDermott will be offering Mass from his home a few days a week at 12.30 and Sundays at midday. Just search patsy mcdermott on Facebook.

If you don’t have internet, you can get Sunday Mass on TV Also online there’s Holy Mass every day from Knock at midday and 7.30 p.m. on weekdays. Of course Ocean FM broadcast Sunday Mass from Sligo Cathedral at 10.30 a.m. Take care everyone, keep washing your hands, keep physical distance from people if you’re out shopping or walking and keep safe.

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

Both Dromahair Centra (071 9164630) and Gala (071 9164666) are offering free delivery to anyone who wants to avail of it at this time.

ANY NEWS?

Remember If you have any items you wish included in the local notes contact us Friday before 11 a.m. on dda.tidytowns@gmail.com or call 086 1625287.