Preserving memories of The Mournes

The Mourne Mountains Landscape Partnership (MMLP) is delighted to launch an exciting new project that will help to preserve images and memories of olden Mourne, so that they may be appreciated and enjoyed by future generations.  The images will be compiled into an archive that will be made available to a wider audience through the www.mournelive.com website.

This project, which has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is focusing on images and artefacts that align with the themes of the Landscape Partnership programme.  These themes are:

Quarrying & the granite industry

The building of the Mourne Wall/Silent Valley/Binnian Tunnel/Ben Crom Dam

Annalong Cornmill

Mourne built heritage

Traditional ways of life/cultural heritage of the Mournes (eg traditional and hearthside skills, farming techniques, dry stone walling etc).  

Camilla Fitzpatrick, MMLP Scheme Manager, encouraged local people to get involved “The success of this project is dependent on the local community – it’s a win-win situation for all.  Community involvement will allow the MMLP to create an interesting photographic archive that will raise awareness of the rich heritage of our area.   On the other hand, all contributors to this project will receive a digital copy of their enhanced images, free of charge.  This means that old photographs can be enlarged and reproduced, allowing other family members and friends to have copies.  Having a digital copy also reduces the chances that the photograph will be further damaged or lost completely – unfortunately, too many families have lost precious, old photos and items, either in tragic circumstances or purely by accident”.  

How do you get involved 

·  Members of the community go along to one of the venues with their material (this could be photos, letters, local poems/songs, artefacts etc).

·  Information about the image/item will be recorded by a member of staff.

· The item will be scanned while you wait (or photographed, if applicable) and you will leave with all your materials.  Don’t worry if your photographs have deteriorated over the years because these will be enhanced and you will receive a copy within a matter of weeks.    

· Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee while you wait and browse through our heritage displays.  

If you would like more information or you’d like to discuss what to bring along, please contact the MMLP office on 028 437 67391 (Mon- Fri).