County Donegal Heritage Office Review (2014)

County Donegal Heritage Plan (2014-2019) The County Donegal Heritage Office and the County Donegal Heritage Forum in partnership with The Heritage Council prepared a draft of the new, five- year County Donegal Heritage Plan. The Heritage Plan process is an opportunity to identify heritage issues and needs in the county and to address them locally, within a regional and national framework. The County Donegal Heritage Forum prepares and submits an annual application to The Heritage Council for matching funding for the implementation of Heritage Plan actions. The Heritage Council awarded €25,000 for County Donegal Heritage Plan implementation in 2014. Over the lifetime of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (2007-2013), it is estimated that Donegal County Council, The Heritage Council and other County Donegal Heritage Forum partners have invested at least €750,000 in the implementation of County Donegal Heritage Plan actions. The draft County Donegal Heritage Plan (2014-2019) was adopted unanimously by Donegal County Council in September 2014.

Heritage Council Grants Programme The Heritage Council awarded €58,500 in funding for thirteen heritage initiatives in County Donegal to groups and individuals throughout the county. Under the heritage management grants scheme, The Heritage Council awarded funding for conservation reports on the Cooperage in Burtonport by the Burtonport Heritage Group, St. Mary’s Old Church in Derrybeg, the Ballyshannon Workhouse by the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group and a conservation plan for Ned’s Point Fort in Inishowen by the Swilly Marine & Heritage Exploration Centre. Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille was awarded funding for the preparation of conservation specifications for the repair of the nineteenth- century coastal signal tower at Carrigan Head, Sliabh Liag and the Creevy & District Community The Maghery Heritage Group secured funding from The Development Cooperative Society secured funding Heritage Council for the repair of the Templecrone for the Kilbarron Castle Conservation Project near graveyard boundary wall in Maghery and for a survey to Ballyshannon. Funding was also awarded for record graveyard inscriptions under the ‘Heritage conservation works to New Park House in Moville, Management’ Grants Scheme. the repair of the Templecrone Church boundary wall

near Maghery and a survey of the historic graveyard,

emergency repair work to the fifteenth-century Ballysaggart Franciscan Friary by the Ballysaggart Church Restoration Committee, repairs to Fannet Presbyterian Church in Kerrykeel and conservation works to St. Catherine’s Church and graveyard in Killybegs by the Killybegs History & Heritage Committee. BirdWatch Ireland was awarded funding for the management of corncrakes in Donegal and Mayo, and the Ardara Men’s Shed secured funding for the restoration of a hand-weaving loom.

Rock Art Presentation Carol Dempsey, Heritage Research Assistant, County Donegal Heritage Office gave an illustrated presentation entitled ‘A Natural Canvas – Prehistoric Rock Art in Donegal’ in the Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny on Tuesday, March 18. Approximately 160 rock art panels have been recorded in County Donegal with only a small number of scattered panels located outside the Inishowen peninsula. The rock art, which is between 5,000 and 4,000 years old, is mostly found on schist outcrops and the decoration is usually defined by cup-like features or complex patterns of cups, rings and grooves commonly known as ‘Cup

and Ring’ rock art or ‘Atlantic Rock Art’. Pictured at the Donegal County Museum is Carol Dempsey, Heritage Research Assistant, County Donegal Heritage Office (left) with Irene Haggan, Donegal County Archives.

Heritage Council Board Visit to Donegal The Heritage Council held its Board Meeting in Gaoth Dobhair from Wednesday, June 4 to Friday, June 6. Each year, the Heritage Council Board holds one of its meetings outside Kilkenny in conjunction with the County Heritage Office in the county in question. During their stay, the board members visited Teach Mhicí Mhic Gabhann in Doire Chonaire, Old Church in Derrybeg, the Cooperage in Burtonport, Templecrone Church and Historic Graveyard in Maghery, the fifteenth-century Franciscan Friary at Ballysaggart, Magees of Donegal and Brown Hall, a Protected Structure in private ownership, near Ballintra. The Heritage Council’s mission is to

engage, educate and advocate a wider Pictured outside Teach Mhicí Mhic Gabhann in Doire understanding of the vital contribution that our Chonaire on Wednesday, June 4 are Conor Newman, heritage makes to our social, environmental and Chairman, The Heritage Council; Michael Starrett, Chief economic well-being. A reception and dinner held at Executive, The Heritage Council and Seamus Neely, Chief An Chúirt Hotel, Gweedore also represented Cllr. Ian Executive, Donegal County Council along with McGarvey’s last public engagement as Mayor of representatives from Tógra Fiontar agus Cultúr Uladh and County Donegal and as outgoing Chairperson of the board members and professional staff from The Heritage County Donegal Heritage Forum. Council.

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‘Lost & Found’ Archaeological Heritage Seminar Over 90 people attended the ‘Lost & Found: County Donegal's Archaeological Heritage' seminar organised by the County Donegal Heritage Office and the Donegal County Museum in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on Saturday, June 14 as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 3.3). The aims of the seminar were to raise awareness of County Donegal's archaeological heritage; outline the statutory protection afforded archaeological monuments and objects; provide advice to, and highlight the role of, landowners and communities in caring for and conserving our archaeological heritage; and promote Pictured at the 'Lost & Found' archaeological heritage best practice in the management of archaeological seminar in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny on heritage sites and objects. The seminar was opened Saturday, June 14 are (from left to right): Pauline Gleeson by Dinny McGinley T.D., Minister of State, (National Monuments Service), Dinny McGinley T.D. Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht. (Minister of State, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht), Caroline Carr (Donegal County Museum,

Donegal County Council), Ian Doyle (The Heritage Council), Judith McCarthy (Donegal County Museum, Donegal County Council), Patricia Stratford & Marius Harkin (Carrickabraghy Restoration Society), Paula Harvey (Tor Mór Cultural Tourism Committee), Duncan McLaren (Dedalus Architecture) & Eamonn Kelly (National Museum of Ireland).

Twite Education Initiative in Primary Schools The Twite education initiative in primary schools in County Donegal and County Mayo is a partnership between BirdWatch Ireland & Anair Ecology in association with Donegal County Council, Mayo County Council, The Heritage Council & the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and addresses the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 4.3). The focus of the initiative was the endangered bird species, Twite, which only breeds in counties Donegal and Mayo. The aim of this initiative was to train teachers and students in the implementation of conservation actions for Twite and the production of a comprehensive step-by-step ‘Teacher’s Manual’. This educational initiative was structured to match the guidelines of the school curriculum under the Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE) guidelines for Primary Schools as set out by the Department of Education & Skills.

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Audit of Geological Heritage Sites in North Donegal The County Donegal Heritage Office in partnership with the Geological Survey of Ireland and The Heritage Council commissioned Dr. Ronan Hennessy, Dr. Vincent Gallagher, Dr. Robert Meehan & Dr. Matthew Parkes to undertake an audit of geological and geomorphological heritage sites in North Donegal as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 1.6). The aims of this Heritage Plan action were to undertake an audit of the significant geological and geomorphological heritage sites as listed by Geological Survey of Ireland in North Donegal, a bibliography of published

sources relating to the geology and geomorphology As well as providing evidence of our geological heritage, of North Donegal, the identification of unique this glacial erratic near Crolly set amid the granite cultural/geological topics/issues, the compilation of landscape of west Donegal is imbued with folklore and the audit report and a public presentation on the cultural significance, and is an iconic image of west findings of the audit. Donegal.

National Heritage Week in County Donegal National Heritage Week took place from Saturday, August 23 until Sunday, August 31, 2014. National Heritage Week is coordinated by The Heritage Council & Local Authority Heritage Officers with support from Fáilte Ireland. ‘Heritage Week’ is an opportunity to raise awareness of, and engender pride in, the cultural, built and natural heritage of County Donegal. There were about 100 ‘Heritage Week’ events taking place in County Donegal including family open days, guided walks, built heritage open houses, heritage site visits, fieldtrips, exhibitions, illustrated presentations, photographic competitions, children’s activities, storytelling

sessions, traditional music, craft fairs and traditional Pictured at the launch of the County Donegal 'Heritage Week' Event Guide in the County Museum, Letterkenny are skills demonstrations. The County Donegal Heritage (from left to right): Joseph Gallagher (Heritage Officer, Office produced the free, pocket-size County Donegal County Council), Joe McHugh T.D. (Minister of Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide and it was State, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht) and launched in the County Museum, Letterkenny on Cllr. John Campbell (Cathaoirleach, Donegal County Monday, August 11 by Joe McHugh T.D., Minister of Council). Photograph by Declan Doherty. State, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht. The boat trip and tour of Doon Fort in west Donegal organised by the Tor Mór Cultural Tourism Committee won the ‘Best Community Event’ and ‘Best Overall Event’ at the National Heritage Week awards ceremony in Kilkenny in early December.

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1930s Donegal Schools’ Folklore Collection on RTÉ ‘Nationwide’ In 1937-1938, the Irish Folklore Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, initiated a revolutionary scheme in which schoolchildren were encouraged to collect and document folklore and local history. Over a period of eighteen months, over 100,000 children in 5,000 primary schools in twenty-six counties were encouraged to collect folklore material in their home districts on themes such as local history and monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and proverbs, songs, customs and beliefs, games and pastimes, traditional work

practices and crafts. County Donegal is one of the Former County Councillor Hugh Conaghan being first counties in Ireland to have the volumes from interviewed by Niall Martin, RTÉ at his home in the 1930s Schools’ Manuscripts Collection available Newtowncunningham for the ‘Nationwide’ feature on the on-line at www.duchas.ie The County Donegal 1930s Schools’ Manuscript Collection. Heritage Office assisted the National Folklore Collection, UCD and RTÉ identify schoolchildren from County Donegal who gathered information and this formed the basis of a feature on RTÉ ‘Nationwide’ broadcast on Monday, August 25.

‘Culture Night’ Heritage Walk along Church Lane As part of ‘Culture Night (Friday, September 19), the County Donegal Heritage Office hosted a built heritage walk along Church Lane in Letterkenny with Colm Murray, Architecture Officer with The Heritage Council. During the short tour of Church Lane, he pointed out some overlooked features of architecture, historical geography, townscape and the plight of small houses in Ireland in the early 21 st century.

Church Lane, Letterkenny (photo courtesy of Lawrence Collection, National Library of Ireland)

Wainfest Wainfest is Donegal County Council’s Cultural Services Arts, Heritage and Book Festival for Children. In association with the County Library Service, the County Donegal Heritage Office sponsored two children’s workshops on ‘Saol Saighdiúra sa 17ú hAois / Soldier Life in the 17th Century’ by Tomás Ó Brógáin in Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair and Leabharlann Phobail na Rossa on Tuesday, October 14. Schoolchildren had the opportunity to learn more about the clothing, weapons, maps and material items relating to the heritage of County Donegal from this period.

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‘Rural Houses of Donegal’ Vernacular Architecture Seminar The County Donegal Heritage Office in association with the County Donegal Heritage Forum and The Heritage Council organised a vernacular architecture seminar entitled ‘Rural Houses of Donegal' in the Parochial Hall, Carrigart on Saturday, October 18 as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 3.4). The aims of the seminar were to raise awareness of County Donegal's vernacular architecture; disseminate information on traditional building methods, materials and skills in County Donegal; highlight sources of information on researching your traditional home; promote best practice in the conservation of vernacular

Guest speakers and craftsmen at the 'Rural Houses of architecture; and convey the built heritage and Donegal' vernacular architecture seminar in Carrigart on cultural significance of our traditional buildings. Saturday, October 18 pictured with Joe McHugh T.D., Over 130 people registered for the free seminar and Minister of State, Department of Arts, Heritage & the registration had to close about ten days before the Gaeltacht; Cllr. John Campbell, Cathaoirleach, Donegal event. Guest speakers included Fidelma Mullane, County Council and Cllr. Michael McBride, Chairman, cultural geographer and vernacular architecture County Donegal Heritage Forum. specialist; Barry O’Reilly, architectural historian and archaeologist; Edward Byrne, Traditional Lime Company; Duncan McLaren, Dedalus Architecture & Dermot Nolan, Dermot Nolan & Associates.

Mary Immaculate College Fieldtrip to Donegal About 45 B.A. final-year students and staff from the 'Tourism & Heritage Management' course at the Department of Geography, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick took their annual three-day fieldtrip to County Donegal in October 2014. The County Donegal Heritage Office assisted the Department of Geography in arranging and delivering its programme (including research, presentations and site visits) while in the county.

Pictured outside Termon House in Maghery, west Donegal are students and staff from the Department of Geography, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

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Heritage Officers’ Meeting with Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Local Authority Heritage Officers met with Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and senior officials in the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht in Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff on Monday, November 17.

Local Authority Heritage Officers with Minister Heather Humphreys at Cavan County Museum

‘Held in Trust’ Seminar About 100 people attended the ‘Held in Trust’ seminar organised by the County Donegal Heritage Office in association with the County Donegal Heritage Forum and The Heritage Council in the Imperial Hotel, Ballyshannon on Saturday, November 22 as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan (Action 1.4). The aims of the seminar were to raise awareness and appreciation of the built heritage and streetscapes of County Donegal’s historic towns; disseminate information and practical advice on the establishment of civic trusts; investigate sources of information on the built heritage of our towns and villages; and promote best practice in the conservation of our built heritage. Guest speakers included Geraldine Walsh, Dublin Civic Trust; Simon Wall, Mayo County Council; Mary McLaughlin & Caroline Dickson, Foyle Civic Trust; Anngret Simms, Royal Irish Academy; and Duncan McLaren, Dedalus Architecture.

Compiled by: Joseph Gallagher County Donegal Heritage Office January 2015

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