DONEGAL COUNCIL ARCHIVES SERVICE

COLMCILLE’S LIFE AND LEGACY BRIEF TO RESEARCH, WRITE AND PREPARE FOR PUBLICATION AN EDUCATION PACK, FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

BRIEF FOR RESEARCHER

October 2020

1. INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

1.1 Donegal County Archives / The Archives Service of Donegal County Council

Donegal County Archives, the Archives Service of Donegal County Council, is responsible for preserving, acquiring and making accessible the documented heritage of the county of Donegal.

The Archives Service includes a programme of projects and activities aimed at students and education providers in the county. The aim of the education programme is to increase awareness of the importance of local archives, history and heritage, and to develop and encourage students and teachers to use archival collections in their studies.

1.2 Archives Service Education Programme/Colmcille

Over the past two decades, Donegal County Council’s Archives Service has been renowned for producing thematic education packs for primary and second level students and teachers. Packs produced include on the subjects of The Flight of the Earls, the Plantation, 19th century Donegal, Donegal in 1916 and Donegal and the Decade of Centenaries. You can view these education/study packs including booklets and worksheets on our website at: http://www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/archives/education/

In 2020- 2021 we commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the birth of Colmcille in Gartan, in 520 (or 521). Colmcille is one of ’s three patron saints, and the patron saint of Derry. Colmcille is in particular renowned for founding monasteries in Iona, Scotland and Derry among other locations and spreading Christianity through Scotland. Colmcille died in Iona on the 9th June 597 A.D.

1.3 Objectives and Aims

Donegal County Council’s Archives Service is seeking to appoint a researcher to research the history, heritage and folklore associated with Colmcille and to write and prepare for publication and online access an education/study pack for primary school students and their teachers on the island of Ireland, including 12 worksheets and a 26 page booklet. There are many sources and educational materials in existence on the subject of Colmcille, this pack should aim to be original in format and distinct from those that have been done already. Sources which may be of use for research and which are available include the Audit of Columban Heritage recently commissioned by Donegal Co. Council, Derry City & Strabane District Council, The Heritage Council and Foras na Gaeilge.

The researcher appointed will liaise with the Archives Service and the other sections of the Cultural Services Division of Donegal County Council where relevant.

2 This research will lead ultimately to an education/study pack with the following elements:

(1) A 26 page illustrated and colourful booklet documenting the history, heritage and legacy of Colmcille, aimed at primary school children which can be accessed online as well as in a hard copy format.

(2) 12 Colourful, attractive and interesting worksheets relating to Colmcille’s life and legacy aimed at primary school children. These will include a number of high quality facsimiles of documents from relevant libraries and archives, e.g., Manus O'Donnell’s The Life of Colum Cille, the Schools Folklore Collection. They will include sketches, drawings and photographs with questions and fun and interesting games and exercises suitable for children aged 8 - 13.

(3) The pack is to be aimed at primary level students, and will reflect the national history curricula of the and of , highlighting any relevant curriculum links.

1.4 Themes to be covered in pack will include the following:

 Life of Colmcille from birth in Donegal to his death in Iona.  The significance of Colmcille for Donegal.  The significance of Colmcille for Derry and Scotland and further afield.  Stories, folklore relating to Colmcille  Archaeological monuments and heritage sites particularly in Donegal.  Colmcille’s overall Legacy.  Educational Resources: A list of other educational resources relating to Colmcille to be included, including websites, books and educational resources.

2. RESPONSE TO PROJECT BRIEF

Proposals in response to this brief should set out in detail how the research project will be approached. The proposal should include:

2.1. Required Skills Proposals should contain clear details of the skills of the researcher, including the range of relevant professional skills which would be brought to bear, and the CV of the researcher.

2.2. Proposed Work Plan & Timetable

The proposal must include a work plan and timetable for the delivery of services, showing the breakdown of proposed person hours for each activity.

2.3. Breakdown of Costs: A detailed breakdown of the estimated costs of carrying out all activities.

2.4. Extent of professional indemnity and public liability cover.

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3. OUTPUT

The outputs of this research project, ALL of which must be completed by Friday 4th December 2020 will be: 1) To have compiled a short, accessible and comprehensive history of the life and legacy of Colmcille, which will be formed into an illustrated 26 page booklet. 2) The booklet will include images sourced from relevant Archives and Libraries collections, as well as photos of sites associated with Colmcille and other illustrations (e.g. drawings, sketches.) 3) To have compiled 12 worksheets which will be of benefit to students of this period of history at primary level and early second level. 4) To have obtained permission from all archival institutions and libraries from which images are sourced to use the images in both hard copy and online version. 5) To have the entire project ready for publication. 6) In cooperation with Donegal County Council’s Archives Service, to have sought and sourced suitable design and print company/companies for the project.

All the above aspects of the project (1) – (6) above, must be completed by Friday 4 December 2020.

4. GENERAL ISSUES

4.1. Timescale This successful candidate must be ready to commence the project immediately on notification of appointment and to have the project as outlined above completed by 4th December 2020.

4.2. Project Management The researcher will report directly to the Archivist, and will submit an interim report on progress with the project by 14th November 2020, as well as a final report on 4th December 2020. Following submission of the draft pack and report, the pack will be sent to the successful graphic designer. The researcher will be expected to be involved, in consultation with the Archivist, in this process of overseeing design work, editing and proof reading as necessary. It is hoped that this will be finalized by the end of 2020.

4.3. Budget The maximum budget available for this research project will be €10,000 (including % VAT, travel, subsistence and all other expenses). A detailed breakdown of all costs should be submitted and should include all elements for which costs will be charged including research and writing. (This excludes design and print of the pack.)

4 4.4. Insurance Evidence of professional indemnity and public liability cover will be required.

4.5. Copyright and Confidentiality The researcher will be required to assign copyright of the work undertaken to Donegal County Council. Copyright for any illustrations or other material used should be cleared by the researcher. The work may be made available for public use by Donegal County Council.

4.6. Freedom of Information Donegal County Council operates under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and all information held by the Council (including proposals submitted in response to this brief) may be subject to requests under the Act.

5. RESPONSE TO TERMS OF REFERENCE

Proposals in response to these terms of reference should set out how the project will be approached, methodology and any other relevant matters. The proposal should include:

Required Skills and Experience Proposals should contain clear details of the skills and experience of the researcher and the CV of the researcher. Details should also be given of the relevant experience including examples of previous relevant work.

Methodology and Timetable The researcher shall furnish a method statement and timetable regarding the delivery of the work including historical knowledge, sources to be used, consultation planned, outline of the proposed pack, detailed timetable and breakdown of person hours and costs.

6. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS & SELECTION OF RESEARCHER

6.1 Evaluation A selection and award assessment process will be used to evaluate proposals. Award Criteria –Marks will be awarded depending on the ability of the researcher to deliver the skills and outputs detailed above. Interviews (by phone or video link) may be held with selected candidates prior to the final evaluation. Donegal County Council is not obliged to accept any proposal or the proposal with the lowest bid, and no person making a submission will be remunerated for any trouble or expense incurred in preparing a submission. It is envisaged that the successful researcher will possess:

Knowledge of and interest in the history and heritage of 15% Colmcille and in history and heritage in general.

5 Proven experience of undertaking historical, educational and/or 15% heritage/cultural research An ability to liaise with key stakeholders 10%

A clear approach to the achievement of the aims and outputs of 25% this study in the proposed methodology

Evidence of appropriate written skills to produce the booklet and 25% worksheets including written and artistic skills.

Tender price/Value for money. 10%

Note 1: Only those bids achieving a score of 60% or above will be considered for award of contract.

Note 2: A valid tax clearance certificate will be needed when contract awarded and should remain in date throughout the contract.

Note 3: The supplier shall effect and maintain insurance necessary to cover their liabilities under this contract for the duration of delivery.

Note 3: The decision of the Evaluation panel will be final.

6.2 Closing Date

Submissions can be accepted by e-mail to [email protected] or by hard copy to Niamh Brennan, Archivist, Donegal County Archives, Donegal County Council, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Please mark all submissions clearly as: ‘Colmcille Education Pack project’.

This project will start immediately and the pack must be completed by the 4th December 2020.

The closing date for receipt of all proposals is 4 pm on Tuesday 20th October 2020.

**Where possible the proposal should be emailed to Niamh Brennan, [email protected] with the subject heading: Colmcille Education Pack proposal Or Niamh Brennan, Archivist, Donegal County Archives, Donegal County Council, Three Rivers Centre, Lifford, County Donegal.

The closing date for receipt of proposals is 4 p.m. on Tuesday 20th October 2020. Proposals cannot be accepted after this deadline.

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