Write a comment
Newry and Mourne Museum are holding an event exploring the role of Nationalists during the period 1912–1923, including the First World War. It's on Saturday 18th of April from 2pm to 5pm.
An excellent line-up of speakers has been arranged, including Dr Eamon Phoenix, Dr Dónal McAnallen and Dr Eoin Magennis.
Dr Phoenix, who is head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis College, Belfast, will speak about “Northern Nationalism, the Great War and the 1916 Rising”. In particular, he will be looking at the threat of partition from 1914, Redmond, Devlin and recruitment, the Easter Rising and the North, and the rise of Sinn Féin in Ulster, including south Armagh down to 1918.
Until recently the widely documented participation of numerous GAA men in the Irish revolutionary movement of 1913–1921 has led to a general understanding that members of the association had no connection to the First World War. Dr Dónal McAnallen, the Ulster GAA Cultural Education and Outreach Officer, in his talk on “The Ulster GAA and the First World War”, will reveal that dozens of Gaelic players from the province actually joined regiments of the British army and fought in Europe between 1914 and 1918. His talk will explore the peculiar circumstances of the hidden history of these forgotten volunteers.
Finally, Dr Eoin Maginess will speak about the post-war period in a talk entitled “Frank Aiken and the Troubles in South Armagh”. A historian based at InterTradeIreland in Newry, Dr Magennis has a particular interest in the history of County Armagh and is editor of the journal of the Armagh Diocesan History Society, Seanchas Ard Mhacha. His talk will focus on Frank Aiken’s early years and his involvement from his teens in the War of Independence and Civil War between 1918 and 1923. It will touch on events in South Armagh and Aiken’s command of the 4th Northern Division of the IRA from 1920 to 1924.
There is no charge to attend the event but as space is restricted pre-booking is essential. To reserve a place please telephone 028 3031 3173 / 3182.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open to the public seven days a week with admission free of charge. For opening hours, information on events and exhibitions, other services and bookings please phone 028 3031 3178 or visit www.bagenalscastle.com
Write a comment
The BOP is Back and this year it's bigger than ever! It takes place in the Millar Suite of the Canal Court Hotel on Monday the 20th of April.
This mini festival of Country Music is guaranteed to make you work up a sweat! The charity event which is organised by Event Promoters Michael Magill Entertainments and Singing Sensation Susan McCann on behalf of Southern Area Hospice features a line-up of the Country’s hottest Music Maestros!
On the night patrons can look forward to ‘Bopping’ to Susan McCann, Philomena Begley, Lisa McHugh, Declan Nerney, Louise Morrissey, Lee Matthews, Johnny Brady, Shauna McStravock, Cliona Hagan, Malaci Cush, Aiden Quinn, Boxcar Brian, Barry Doyle, Tom O’Rourke, Sharon Larkin, Anthony McBrien, Country Harmony, The Nooks, The Professionals, Gerry Guthrie, Michelle Magee, The Miracles, Daniel Byrne and Justin McGuirk. There will also be a raffle on the night. So dust down those dancing shoes as this is truly a night not to be missed! Admission to the event costs just £10 and you simply pay at the door.
Lisa Mulkerns from Southern Area Hospice Services said “We are thrilled to hear that the BOP is back for 2015! I extend special thanks to Magill Entertainments and Susan McCann, and also to all the artists who will perform on the night. We really appreciate the time and effort that goes into organising an event like this. We also thank the Canal Court Hotel for their support of this event. If this lively line-up doesn’t have the crowd bopping we don’t know what will! All proceeds from the Bop will go towards Southern Area Hospice Services, helping us to help local people with life-limiting illnesses, and for this we are truly grateful.”
Southern Area Hospice Services is a charity providing care free of charge to local people with Cancer, and other life-limiting illnesses such as, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, HIV and Aids. The Hospice must fundraise £2.38m in 2015 to keep their services operating at their current level. For further information on the BOP contact Lisa in Hospice Fundraising on 3025 1333.
Write a comment
One of Ireland’s most quintessential musician’s Andy Irvine will play at Newry Market, John Mitchell Place on Friday 5 June 2015 at 9pm. The musician has been invited by the organisers of the Iúr Cinn Fleadh/Newry City Music Festival happening in September this year.
Irvine’s musical history spans some four decades. He spent most of the 1970s playing alongside Christy Moore and Donal Lunny. After that, it was a trail of great bands and musicians including De Danaan, Paul Brady, Mick Hanly and Patrick Street with whom he played all over the world before setting out on his own solo career. Andy is a great singer songwriter and his skills as a musician playing the bouzouki, mandola, Harmonica and mandolin have earned him awards and titles during an illustrious career.
Concert tickets are selling at £15 can be bought via: www.iurcinnfleadh.com and in person at the Sugar Supper Club, Newry.
Speaking ahead of the concert, Iúr Cinn Fleadh’s Neil Bradley, said “Irvine’s concert is part of the Iúr Cinn Fleadh initiative, which aims to draw in acclaimed musicians to Newry as well as to promote and support local musical talent that resides within our city and its hinterlands. Iúr Cinn Fleadh is led by a small group of activists who see huge potential at home. We want to do what we can to put Newry on the map; the love of music is one way of achieving that.”
Following its successful launch last year, Iúr Cinn Fleadh is coming back bigger and better. Taking place on 10-13 September 2015, this year’s festival will open with a ‘Trad Trail’ across the pubs and clubs of Newry. Headline acts include the Hothouse Flowers, Frances Black and Kieran Goss. Visitors can also look forward to a busking competition, musical workshops, Irish dancing performances and a ‘taste of trad’, with several of the city’s restaurants signed up to serve traditional Irish cuisine throughout the weekend. Iúr Cinn Fleadh offers something for everyone – families, friends, young and old, locals and those from further afield. Music gurus and novices alike, this is a weekend not to be missed!
For up-to-date information on Iúr Cinn Fleadh, visit www.iurcinnfleadh.com and like ‘Iur Cinn Fleadh’ on Facebook
Iúr Cinn Fleadh is an offshoot project of Newry 2020, a community-led initiative which brings together local residents, non-profit organisations and businesses to plan events, create projects and help advance Newry’s development: www.newry2020.com
Write a comment
Southern Area Hospice Services are delighted to launch their brand new fundraising event, ‘Strictly Goes Country’ which is set to take place in the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday 27th June 2015, supported by ‘Get Fit Come Dancing’ and ‘Irish TV’.
‘Strictly Goes Country’ will see 10 couples take to the stage to showcase their dancing skills, all to the beat of Country music, in a bid to win the votes of the judging panel and the audience and ultimately be crowned the winners of this first-time event for Southern Area Hospice Services.
The participating couples are:
David Scott (Richhill) & Margaret McQuaide (Loughgilly)
Andy Jardine (Auchnacloy) & Olivia Hamill (Portadown)
Adam McNeilly (Cabra) & Julie Redmond (Dromara)
Jason Magowan (Auchnacloy) & Suzanne Rooney (Burren)
Andrew Meakin (Keady) & Evelyn McAleer (Dungannon)
Anthony Murchan (Mullaghbawn) & Stacey Burke (Letterkenny)
Peter McCabe (Omeath) & Geraldine Boylan (Keady)
Padraig McAteer (Newry) & Caoimhe Fergus (Newry)
William Donaldson (Rathfriland) & Céallach Grant (Newry)
Martin Larkin (Lissummon) & Suzanne Kelly (Dromara)
‘Strictly Goes Country’, which will follow a similar format to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will see the participating couples jiving, line-dancing and doing the hucklebuck amongst many more dances in what is sure to be a very entertaining show!
The judging panel will include Country Music super star and Southern Area Hospice Services patron, Susan McCann and experienced, fully qualified dance teacher, Niall Doorhy. The compere for the show will be the wonderful Malachi Cush - he will be sure to keep the audience in ‘craic’ throughout the evening.
After the dancers have performed, the judging panel and the audience will place their votes to determine who the winners will be. The dancers have been working extremely hard on their routines for the show so it sure to be good - this is a night not to be missed!
Anne Mac Oscar, Regional Marketing Officer in Armagh and Dungannon for Southern Area Hospice Services said, “We are really looking forward to a great night in the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday 27th June 2015. I would encourage as many people as possible to get their tickets and come along and support the dancers. They are working very hard in preparation for the show. All the money raised will help the Hospice to continue to provide care and support to people in the local area who are living with Cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, HIV and Aids. Every penny really does count as we work towards our 2015 fundraising target of £2.38 million.”
Malachi Cush of ‘Irish TV’ added his support saying, “Irish TV are delighted to be involved with ‘Strictly Goes Country’. We wish all the dancers the very best of luck with their preparations for the night.”
Tickets for the show (£12 each) are on sale now by contacting Anne or Lisa in the Southern Area Hospice Services fundraising department on 028 30251333 or by emailing macoscara@southernareahospiceservices.org.
There are some sponsorship opportunities available for the night. For more information about this please contact Lisa Hamill on 028 30251333 or email hamilll@southernareahospiceservices.org.
Write a comment
In connection with its First World War Project Newry and Mourne Museum has organised an exciting programme of events and activities for June 2015.
On Thursday 4 June there will be a day trip to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast and the Ulster Folk Museum at Cultra. The bus will depart from Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal’s Castle, Castle Street, Newry at 10 am and return at 5 pm.
At PRONI, there will be an opportunity to obtain information on the records that it holds. Attendees will also be able to view letters written by Lord Newry while he was on active service during the First World War; papers about the sinking of Kilkeel fishing vessels by a German submarine in 1918; letters and documents giving an insight into the personal impact of the war on a Warrenpoint lady whose husband, a German citizen, was interned; the initial minutes of the Newry Branch of the British Legion; and documents from the Department of Home Affairs relating to the prohibition of the erection, by the Newry Branch of the Northern Old I.R.A. Remembrance Association, of an Irish Patriot Memorial in Newry in 1938.
After time for lunch at PRONI, the group will travel to the Ulster Folk Museum at Cultra to get an insight into life in Ireland 100 years ago and the impact of the war on those who remained at home. The guided tour will tell the story of what everyday life was like for the people of Ulster during the war and the many significant changes it caused, some of which resonate today. The cost for the day trip is £10 (or £7.50 for concessions).
Then on Wednesday 17 June, beginning at 7:30 pm, Newry and Mourne Museum will host a lecture on “Motorcars and Transport in Ulster, 1896-1918”, given by Leanne Blaney from University College, Dublin. There is no charge to attend the talk but booking is essential.
Leanne’s talk will cover changes in transport at the turn of the twentieth century and the role of motorcars, for instance, in the 1914 gun-runnings, when the Ulster Volunteers and Irish Volunteers covertly armed themselves with weapons brought in from Germany. The lecture will also tie in with Newry and Mourne Museum’s new temporary exhibition, “The World has Become Smaller: Transport Through the Ages in Newry and Mourne” which will open on 29 May.
At the end of June the Museum will host two family history workshops.
On Monday 22 June (2pm – 4:30pm) leading Irish genealogist, John Grenham, author of Tracing Your Irish Ancestry, will speak about “Irish Genealogy: The Major Online and Offline Sources”.
Then on Monday 29 June (2pm – 4:30pm) Professor Richard Grayson (Professor of Twentieth-century History at Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of Belfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists Fought and Died Together in the First World War) will speak about “Researching First World War Ancestors”. There is no charge to attend either genealogy workshop, but pre-booking is required. Light refreshments will be provided.
To get further information or to book a place at one or more of the events please email Dr Robert Whan: robert.whan@newryandmourne.gov.uk or Telephone: 028 3031 3173 / 028 3031 3182.
Write a comment
Just a week to go to the Andy Irvine Concert at Newry Variety Market on Friday the 5th of June so if you haven’t already got your tickets for what will be an exceptional night from the Planxty singer songwriter get them quick!
Tickets priced £15 can be got from the Sugar Supper Club, Sugar Island as well as the Help Desk in the Buttercrane Shopping Centre. You can also buy them online at www.iurcinnfleadh.com and they will be at the gate on the night for you to collect!
It’s one of the summers first gigs in Newry. The concert will be fully covered and all seated with bar facilities provided by Iur Cinn Fleadh Sponsor Bellinis. Gates open 8pm.
It’s a warm up event for the second annual Iur Cinn Fleadh - Newry Music and Arts Festival that will run at many venues throughout the city from the 10th to the 13th of September. Headline Gigs include Hothouse Flowers at Bellinis and Frances Black and Kieran Goss at Newry Town Hall.
Run by community organisation Newry 2020 it aims to help make Newry a better place to live in or visit, by making ideas reality and providing events to encourage a pride in our city. The organisation is completely non profit and all money raised is reinvested into the festival.
Neil Bradley said “We are massively excited to have Irish Music Legend Andy Irvine christen Newry Variety Market as an alternative boutique venue. We believe this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for this wonderful facility”
Write a comment
A publication about Major-General Robert Ross and the Anglo-American War of 1812 was launched at Bagenal’s Castle last week a few weeks before the War of 1812 Conference in Rostrevor in July.
Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Naomi Bailie thanked historian Gordon Lucy and all who assisted with the book. Gordon, funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Ulster-Scots Community Network contributed the narrative for the publication. The book was edited and designed by the Council’s Programme Co-ordinator Andrew Kernaghan, and will be available in limited printed format and then through the Newry and Mourne Museum website in PDF format.
At the launch of the publication Cllr Bailie said “I am delighted to be a part of this launch here today, this is a superb publication and hope everyone enjoys reading it. I am confident that the legacy of Major-General Robert Ross, commemorated by the 100 foot tall obelisk in Rostrevor will live on for many years to come”.
The launch of the publication is ahead of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s War of 1812 Legacy Conference to be held on the 3rd and 4th July at Kilbroney Integrated School in Rostrevor. The conference will have international speakers from America and Canada as well as here locally with Rostrevor’s own Dr John McCavitt.
War of 1812 Legacy Conference - 3rd and 4th July 2015
Kilbroney Integrated Primary School, Rostrevor
Programme
Friday 3rd July
Professor Don Hickey
"Forgotten Conflict: Why the War of 1812 Matters Today"
Dr. John McCavitt
"Physical legacies of the War of 1812 in Britain, Ireland and North America"
Professor R. Dave Edmunds
"They Have Driven Us From the Sea to the Lakes": Tecumseh, the War of 1812, and the Aftermath"
Professor Gene Smith
“Gambling for Freedom: What Resulted from Slave Choices”
Jason Wiese
“Glorious Victory!: The Battle of New Orleans in Early American Prints.”
Kevin Chambers
'New Orleans and beyond'
Professor Daniel feller
"America's Hero: New Orleans and the Apotheosis of Andrew Jackson"
Saturday 4th July
Major John R. Grodzinski
’The Defence of These Dominions:’ The Effect of the War of 1812 on the Defence of British North America, 1815-1867.”
Dr Faye M. Kert
‘Written on the Sea. The Legacy of Privateering in the War of 1812.’
Dr Samuel Watson
"Turmoil and Memory: Short- and Long-Term Legacies of the War of 1812 for the U.S. Army"
Dr Ralph Eshelman
“Myth From the War of 1812: Did the British Really Burn Washington?”
Christopher T. George
"Who Remembers General Robert Ross, Anyway? How Baltimore Remembers the Man Who Captured Washington, D.C."
Dr Charles Neimeyer
"With the Marines and Navy at Bladensburg and Baltimore."
Write a comment
Two massive headline acts have been booked for the 2015 Iúr Cinn Fleadh /Newry City Music Festival which promises to be an amazing weekend for traditional and folk music fans.
Hothouse Flowers are playing on Saturday 12 September in Bellinis while Frances Black and Kieran Goss will headline on Sunday 13 September in Newry Town Hall.
Hothouse Flowers started their career busking and ended up bringing street music to world stages. Since the release of their last CD, ‘Into Your Heart’, they have been playing across Ireland, America, the UK, Japan and Europe. The band is well known for its unique brand of rock influenced by soul, gospel and traditional music.
For the first time in 20 years, Frances Black and Mayobridge man Kieran Goss will reunite on stage together. Newry Town Hall offers the perfect atmosphere and backdrop for this gently minimalist performance, which will appeal to all contemporary folk lovers. Speaking of the gig, Kieran Goss said:
“Frances and I are delighted to be performing together again after all these years and especially to be playing in my home town...I remember playing in Newry Town Hall in a band called ‘Nightshift’...it might have been 1978/79...We were terrible but my cousin Sean played bass in Dreams so we got the gig! Since then, music has brought all around the world and back again and I'm looking forward to sharing the stage with Frances and meeting up with old friends and family. It's gonna be a great night.”
Following its successful launch last year, Iúr Cinn Fleadh is coming back bigger and better. Taking place on 10-13 September 2015, this year’s festival will open with a ‘Trad Trail’ across the pubs and clubs of Newry. Trad music aficionados can look forward to an evening of music and song with dance and storytelling thrown in for good measure.
Saturday’s day time activities will bring in buskers to one of the city centre’s revived shopping streets - Hill Street - for a two hour live music competition. Musical workshops and Irish dancing performances will also be held for children across the city’s various arts and music venues.
‘A Taste of Trad’ will cater to visitor appetites, with several of the city’s restaurants signed up to serve traditional Irish cuisine throughout the weekend.
Iúr Cinn Fleadh offers something for everyone – families, friends, young and old, locals and those from further afield. Music gurus and novices alike, this is a weekend not to be missed! The Events guide will shortly be available.
Tickets for headline acts selling at £22.50 can be bought from the Sugar Supper Club, Sugar, Island, the Customer Service Desk, Buttercrane Shopping Centre or via: www.iurcinnfleadh.com (Hothouse Flowers Tickets can also be bought from Bellinis!)
Write a comment
Dolores and Sean Keane two of the most distinctive voices of the Irish folk scene will visit Newry in September for a concert.
Sister and brother Dolores and Sean are known the world over for their traditional voices and its a rare opportunity to hear these voices together. Hear them sing classics like Isle of Hope and Galway Bay.
Sean and Dolores toured together when members of Reel Union in the early eighties and then went onto carve solo careers that has stretched for decades.
Now they are back together with many songs that are known all over the world and anywhere the Irish gather there surely is a Keane song in the mix.
They play the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Wednesday the 16th of September.
 |
 |
 |