Write a commentThe ‘Know your Townlands Project’ will be launched in Creggan Church near Crossmaglen this Friday 18 March at 7.30pm with an evening event entitled ‘Townlands Across Traditions’. This event will feature traditional music from all communities, a fascinating talk by historian Brian Turner on townlands and their common history across all communities and a chance to examine photographic examples of local LOL and GAA banners focussing on townland names over tea and coffee in the historic church.
Townland names are unique across the world and link us and our places to our common and shared history, genealogy, wildlife, geography and culture. The Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership wants to celebrate and mark our townlands, reclaiming them from the dustbin of recent history.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane said, “The loss of our townlands for the sake of convenience, cut an immediate link between people and their place. This loss sliced through stories that were the genetic lifeblood of the oral traditions of our land. By launching the “Know your Townlands” project at the “Townlands across Traditions” event , the Landscape Partnership is helping our communities to reclaim the jigsaw of unique names that criss-cross our district”
The Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership is part of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s programme to conserve and enhance some of the region’s most treasured landscapes. The LPS runs from September 2015 until August 2018 and will be providing workshops in all local primary and secondary schools over the next few months and will be working with communities to erect and care for stone townland markers at the boundaries of those townlands on major roads.
If you or your group or school wants to get involved please contact Abby at projects@ringofgullion.org for more details.
