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The 2024 Michael J.Murphy Winter School takes place this weekend, 8/9 November 2024 at Tí Chulainn, Mullaghbane with talks, music, drama and film screenings based around the Hiring Fair tradition. All events are free and open to all.
Each year since 2013 Cuimhneamh, based in Tí Chulainn Cultural Activity Centre, Maphoner, Mullaghbane hosts a Winter School in memory of Michael J.Murphy, South Armagh’s distinguished writer, folklorist, broadcaster, photographer and socialist republican.
During the 1930s Michael J. campaigned against the hiring of the children of the rural poor at hiring fairs and therefore the committee of Cuimhneamh thought it fitting that the theme of this year’s event should be ‘The Hiring Fair’.
Proceedings begin tomorrow Friday, 8 November at 7pm in Tí Chulainn with a drama entitled ‘The Hiring Fair’. The material for this drama is largely taken from the interviews which Michael did with people, from all over Old Ulster from Rathlin to The Boyne and from the Ards Peninsula to County Sligo, who had experienced hiring. Some of the more local interviews have been taken and fashioned into a play by the renowned drama specialist, Pauline Lynch, and will be performed by the students of Dromintee Primary School (which Michael J. attended); Mullaghbane Primary School; St.Paul’s High School and the award winning Lislea Players.
After the drama, refreshments will be served and a Forum, chaired by well-known South Armagh Historian, Úna Walsh, will take place in the Tí Chulainn theatre. The panelists will speak for about five minutes about their parents and grandparents being hired and then the discussion will be open to the audience. So, if you have a story to tell about your family,do come along and take part in tribute to the lives of your ancestors.
During the drama and the forum, two of South Armagh’s most accomplished traditional singers, Blaithín Mhic Cana and Garet Doran, will sing songs,in both English and Irish.
A large number of people have already sent photographs of their family members who were hired and these will be placed on a loop in the foyer so that they can be viewed throughout the evening.
Organisers plan to continue the collection of photographs and accounts after the Winter School. If you have material please send a private message to the Cuimhneamh Facebook Page
On Saturday, November 9th at 3pm, the venue is Dromintee Old Primary School where Winifred Murphy, daughter of Michael J., will unveil a long overdue plaque on the building where he went to school from 1922 to 1927.
The weekend will conclude,immediately after the unveiling, in The Three Steps Pub, Dromintee, where Bronagh McAtasney of the NI Screen Digital Film Archive, will present films about Hiring Fairs and about Michael J’s life.Refreshments will be served.
All sessions are free, but a bucket will be placed at the entrance on both days so that anyone who wishes can make a donation to help to defray expenses.
Friday 8 November
7pm: Ti Chulainn - The Hiring Fair a drama by Pauline Lynch with children from Dromintee Primary School and members of the Lislea Players.
8pm: Ti Chulainn - Forum chaired by Una Walsh featuring speakers whose parents or grandparents were hired as children. the evening will feature songs of hiring sung by Blaithin Mhiccana and Garet Doran
Saturday 9 November
3pm: Dromintee Old School - Unveiling of a plaque commemorating Michael J. Murphy by his daughter Winifred. This will be followed by a reception at the Three Steps with a screening of films about Hiring Fairs and Michael J. Murphy introduced by Bronagh McAtasney of NI Screen digital film archive.
