STEPPING STONES The Newsletter of the South Area

Autumn 2011 South Lough Neagh Wetlands – a heritage

cross and around this globe own area, each is under attack only protect existing territories on which we all live and from the forces of man on the one the world wetlands organisa- Ashare our existence wetland hand and, to a greater degree, the tions, through the medium of the region, whether large or small, forces of world climate change on RAMSAR Conference, are currently have now become recognised as the other hand. fighting an ongoing battle to actu- regions of importance. World wetlands are a diminish- ally save many endangered wet- While each may be unique to its ing feature and in efforts to not land areas around the globe.

What is Ramsar? aims “to promote the Ramsar takes its name from conservation and wise use the first International World of all wetland resources Wetlands Conference held through local, regional, and in the town of Ramsar in national actions, and by Iran in 1971. From the intensifying co-operation original 17 initial signatory among all users and stake- nations at the first confer- holders. ence that number has now grown to 160 (inclusive of Why are we listed? the UK and the ROI). Our area is listed because - The total list of protected 1. We have on our door- worldwide wetlands now step the largest freshwater numbers 1,888. Of these, lake in the UK 21 are in 2. The lake is fringed by and Lough Neagh, inclusive beds of species-rich damp shore is home to a range of and 2 rare butterflies. of the South Lough Neagh grasslands rare invertebrates 8. The lough itself supports Area Wetlands, is one of 3. Pockets of cut over bog 6. The area supports large the unique fish population, the important areas on the support unique plants and colonies of water birds, the pollan list. fauna both local and migratory 9. The area supports in 4. Over 40 rare local 7. The loughshore region quality a wide diversifica- What are the aims of vascular plants have been supports 12 species of tion of special fauna Ramsar? identified dragonfly also a number of 10. It is important for The Ramsar Conference 5. The Lough and lough- rare beetles, 7 rare moths tourism and recreation An area to be proud of

As an area of unique freshwater ecology the South Lough Neagh basin can be termed without doubt as an area of which we can all be justifiably proud.

ough Neagh, situated in the ter they in themselves being im- its slipways and boat moorings on centre of Northern Ireland, is portant channels for migratory fish the local canal, there is ready and Lthe largest freshwater lake in stocks with the river banks being a safe access on to the lough itself for the British Isles. It covers an area of recognised habitat refuge for fauna boating enthusiasts. some 380 square kilometres, being and wildlife. A little further long at 30.5 km long and 12.1 km wide. For This southern loughshore basin is where the enters the its size the lake is very shallow hav- also blessed by having a number of Lough, wildlife abounds. ing a mean depth of only 9 metres, ‘man assisted’ places of environment Under the control of Craigavon being only 35 metres at its deepest interest. To the west we have Peat- Borough Council the excellent facili- point. It is this shallowness that adds lands Park, managed by The Environ- ties at Oxford Island by the Kinnego to its uniqueness in its support of ment Services Agency for N.I. Here, Embankment provide birdwatchers diverse wildlife species and fauna. ready access pathways are provided with very accessible hides and unre- The basis of this support, and fish for access onto wide tracts of spent stricted viewing points. stocks in particular, lies largely from bog and fenland. By way of plank For the more adventurous, going the Lough being the nurse bed for boardwalks and supported paths, further east, the satellite Portmore abundant annual summer hatches of visitors can explore this ancient Lough is an area rich in habitat and pollen fly, or better know as simply moorland having also access to Der- a haven for waterbirds. Areas of the Lough fly. ryadd Lough with its rich reed-beds unimproved wet grassland across Here on the southern shore, the and quiet retreats. the basin as a whole serve to add to ecology is added to by the feed wa- Maghery Park provides facilities to its distinctive importance as a world ters of the Rivers Bann and Blackwa- explore the loughshore, and with Ramsar site.

2 The Bard of the Boglands

So often writing about nature, Teggart depicted among other things the “Yellow Bloom” He also collected the sights and sounds and even the smells of the area in such poems as, “When the Skylark Soars and Sings; The Montiagh Moss; The Wee Mosscheeper; Up The Ramper; Our Bogland Home; Turf Smoke,” and so many more. oses Teggart was known as His prose and poetry, written in some- Farewell, ye cold black bogs and the Bard of the Boglands. thing of a Burns idiom, are not only moors! MBorn in the crowded time capsules of a time gone by, but Goodbye, ye gold bloomed whins! townland of Ballinary Birches on the have left us, as it were pen painted Ye teach me how the love endures, shores of Lough Neagh in 1853, the pictures of rural life, exemplifying the That in friendship fond begins. son of a simple cotter tenant farmer natural ambience of the loughshore Goodbye ye little redbreasts all with apparent little prospects in life, and all its closeness to nature. Not That sing so sweet at dawn, Moses Teggart successfully applied only was Teggart an incurable roman- At dusk I hear your pensive call, himself to learning and academia so tic, he was a born naturalist. From his And shall when I am gone. as to leave an indelible mark through well-known poem The Bell of Ballinary Farewell ye kindly people all his distinctive writings in both prose through to such contributions as The In bogland and in town, and poetry. Daisies on the Brea, he excelled in Your friendship I esteem and shall Following his primary education at descriptive phrase. Till I this head lay down. his local Cloncore National School he Thanks to the tireless work of Dr John obtained a place through matricula- In that last sleep o’er which the dawn Wright, a complete volume of Teggart tion at the New Model School in Of heaven some morn will rise, prose and poetry has been published from where, after two strenu- When I, fond hope! Though some as an anthology. Dr Wright not ous years he became qualified as a time gone, only collected over 300 of Teggart's National School teacher. Shall join you in the skies. known works, but has put together a Following the opportunities of his gripping account of Teggart's colour- chosen profession he was able to Copies of the book MOSES ful life including an account of his sad work in, and travel to many places TEGGART - THE BARD OF THE death in 1909 when he died on board in Ireland, and furthered his experi- BOGLANDS can the SS Carthaginian on his way back ences in both Scotland and England. be purchased He eventually joined the Civil Service to the USA, following what was to be via the office in Scotland in the mid 1870s, but his last visit home to Ireland. He was of South Lough returned home to Ballinary in 1888 to buried at sea on 19th Feb 1909. His Neagh Regen- join the then fast flowing emigration poetry remains his sole memorial. eration. Tele- trail to the United States where he The last poem he ever wrote was phone no 028 took up work in the town of Spring- composed a few days prior to his final 38 852 550. field, Massachusetts. In reality, it was departure and it would seem that he Price £10, its at this period in his life - 1890/1909 had some premonition that his sands 400 pages in - that he flourished as a poet, having of time were running out. It was hardback and a wide range of his works published entitled ‘A Farewell’. colour is an weekly in both the Springfield and Though brief, it serves as a fitting offer not to newspapers of the day. epitaph. be missed.

3 stepping on the stones of time

Members of the South Lough Neagh Historical Society enjoy a field trip day out to the Newgrange Iron Age historical site of Irish Kings.

Migration studies Outside Mittens Cottage. The old Cross, Clones - Several visits to Clones have been made by the Society members. igration and Immigration have ince 2004 The South Lough Neagh in Co. Longford; trips to The Boyne Malways been highly Historical Society, based in the Valley Site and to Drogheda; to the debated features in Irish cultural SCommunity Hall at Maghery, cathedral and walls at Derry; to the life. To get to know more about has grown from strength to strength. O’Neill Grinnian, the ancient seat of the this topic, the Society engaged Dr Not only as an active historical society O’Neill’s of Ulster in Inishowen; and to Patrick Fitzgerald the well-know but as an example of good community The Centre for Migration Studies and historian and TV broadcaster, to relations at work, it is held very much in the Ulster/American Folk Park at Omagh. conduct a series of lectures with local high regard. Many local exploratory walks and field follow-up visits to the Centre for Not only do the members meet study trips have been undertaken, Migration Studies. These have monthly to benefit from the informed including a visit to O’Connor’s proven both very popular and talks given by noted historical academics Stronghold on Derrywarragh and to beneficial with all who have taken covering a wide range of subjects Coney Island. Several walks across part. Not only did the regular ranging from local historical topics to the old Verner Churchill Estate and members become involved but those of wider national Irish history, but visits to the old early Celtic-Christian several new visitors from the local the outdoor field trips and excursions burial ground in Mullankille have ethnic migrant community were have become very much oversubscribed proven popular. A tour of The Argory made welcome. calendar events. grounds and house, the seat of the late Recent field trips have included visits MacGeough-Bonds, as well as several to The National Bog Museum at Corlea evening fireside meetings in such

4 stepping on the stones of time

Useful Community Contacts Youth Group Contacts: Youth Club Alan mcCann Sarsfields Youth Club T: 07548 65087 Leanne McCusker T: 02838 340071 Vinecash Youth Club Gordon Woolsey Wolftones Youth Club T: 07599 806050 Liz Hoy/Lisa Tighe Senior Citizen Clubs T: 07842 699861 Senior Citizen Group The group enjoy a Moses Teggart poetry walk- Aghagallon Youth Club Meet every Wednesday in Sarsfields ing tour. Catherine Shipman Community Centre T: 07889 016604 Contact: Eileen McAlinden places as John Pat Mackel’s traditional T: 028 3834 0556 loughshore cottage in Columcille and John Mitchell Youth Club a recent visit to the site of the Battle Aiden Mulholland Aghagallon Senior Citizen Group of the Diamond and to Dan Winter's T: 07591 969812 Meet every Tuesday in Cranagh Hall Contact: Eilish McGrath cottage have been undertaken. Birches Youth Club T: 028 9265 1926 Joining up with likeminded historical John Richie societies as in Aughnacloy and in Clones T: 07872 067411 Diamond Senior Citizen Group has resulted in a number of successful Meet every Tuesday in Maghery ventures. In January last, the members Community Hall Maghery Youth Club Contact: Anne Fox T: 028 3885 1113 truly enjoyed the entertainment and Siobhan Hoey hospitality of a Burns Night supper as T: 07944 092601 The Birches Day Care and Cosy hosted by the Clones Society. Without Club - Meet every Tuesday in The doubt a full itinerary is being operated, Milltown Youth Club Birches Cosy Club Centre providing notable opportunities for Alan McElmurry Contact: Edith Stevenson T: 07548 650687 T: 028 3885 2041 cross-community involvement.

The South Lough Neagh Historical Society meets on the first Monday of each month at 8pm in the Community Hall, Maghery. Membership is unrestricted, being open to anyone wishing to come along. New season commences on Monday 5th September when the new programme will be announced.

5 Summer in the Lough Shore

highly successful south The children also attended day trips Tones Youth Club, , loughshore summer to Newcastle, Craigavon Watersports Sarsfields Youth Club, Milltown Youth Aenhancement scheme was Centre and Murlough Bay Beach. Club, Birches Youth Club, Maghery held during July and August which While some of the older children got Youth Club, Scotch Street Youth Club was attended by hundreds of local to spend a three-day residential at and SELB Craigavon Youth Initiative children. Shannagh More Outdoor Education personnel. A range of sporting and cultural Centre. activities held the imagination for None of these events would have n The schemes were partly funded some of the young people while taken place without the voluntary by SOAR – the Rural Development others enjoyed workshops in cookery, help of the rural youth leaders and Fund, SELB, and South Lough jewellery making and arts and crafts. senior member volunteers from Wolfe Neagh Regeneration Association.

Seniors testing the ice

6 Leaders trying out the bouncy castle Young people enjoying the wide range of activities available

7 Up-and-coming events outh Lough Neagh Regeneration development session. Course is free and contribution Association is hosting a free Venue: Lough Neagh Discovery towards childminding costs can be Sevent for Rural Women - Good Centre, . claimed via a signed worksheet. Relations and Civic Leadership Training One morning per week over four incorporating an image consultation weeks, starting Thursday 22nd n Please contact Mary or Bernie that advises on styles, colours September 2011. on 028 3885 2550 or email: slnra@ and accessories, and a personal Refreshments provided. btconnect.com to book a place.

Youth Leadership Programme Autumn 2011

his programme is for 16-25 year olds who have demonstrated leadership potential in their community and are interested in exploring and T he Boat Factory is a new play written by award- developing their own leadership potential. winning local actor and presenter Dan Gordon, and based on his personal experience of growing 2011 November/December: Two day residential T up around the east Belfast shipyard. Performed by Dan An interactive, multi-phase activity based on leadership Gordon and Michael Condron, it explores our shipbuilding development programme. To build young people’s heritage in a poignant and human tale of comradeship, skills, confidence and sense of self and to work pride, loyalty, kindness, beauty, skill, craftsmanship, alongside young people to give back/demonstrate nobility and above all heart. their leadership to the community. NOCN Level 2 n Tuesday 1st November 2011, tickets £5 each and Accredited. can be obtained by contacting South Lough Neagh Regeneration Association on 028 3885 2550 or email; n Please contact Mary or Bernie on 028 3885 2550 [email protected]. Places are limited so please or email: [email protected] to book a place. book early.

outh Lough Neagh Historical background of war and rebellion. fictional Scarlett O'Hara! John died in Society is hosting a two-day John and Jenny were a most without his Jenny. Sexhibition - 'The 1848 Rebellion' handsome couple who acted out Besides the exhibition there will be Young Ireland Revisited - The love their lives in the landscapes of Ireland, illustrated lectures with live music story of John Mitchel and Jenny Verner Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), (classical pianist and singers), a in Maghery and District Hall on Friday California, New York, Tennessee, presentation on Verner's Estate and a 11th and Saturday 12th November Virginia and Paris. Their story involves historical discussion of the significance from 10.00am - 10.00pm each day. radical Presbyterianism, the Orange of the Young Irelanders. A real-life adventure story - the story Order, the Famine, exile in Van Entrance is free. of John and Jenny Mitchel is epic. It is Diemen's Land, the American Civil n For further details, please the story of the 19th century politics War, the Fenians and Home Rule; but contact South Lough Neagh in both Ireland and United States. It is mostly it is gripping love story. Historical Society on T: 028 3885 the story of a life long fidelity, played Jenny followed John into exile and 2550 or email: slnra@btconnect. out on three continents and against a had real experiences similar to the com

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