Culture & Heritage

Culture and Heritage

Under the cultural pillar of IRD Duhallow’s strategic framework it is recognised that improved quality of life allows for greater creativity and identity within communities which in turn fosters artistic, traditional and cultural movements. The rich, unique heritage of the Duhallow region is long extolled as a distinctive resource to be valued and conserved and many valuable projects undertaken recently fall within this category.

Preserving traditional music; Father & Son Eoin & Raymond O’Sullivan showcasing some sliabh luachra traditional music in the James O’Keeffe Institute Newmarket.

Historic Grave Training Community groups in Duhallow have surveyed and published grave monuments and biographical detail from 28 graveyards since 2013. In that time a group of committed individuals have built an online resource which has deep personal benefits, connecting individuals and far flung families with their own particular graveyards plots. Genealogy tourists can use the online database www.historicgraves.com to identify individual graveyard plots and easily find those same graves by Maura and Catherine Nee Curtin using the GPS coordinates published with reminiscing about their father Denny John Curtin as part of historic grave each headstone. The work of surveying recordings in Clonfert Graveyard. the graveyards has involved the recording and transcribing of the headstone inscriptions in the burial grounds through the much-valued work of community volunteers, members of the Duhallow Ancestry Group and RSS/Tús workers. With funding secured under the current LEADER Programme 2014–2020, IRD Duhallow is currently facilitating community-based training in the recording of the stories attached to these historic graves, in the North Cork LEADER area. The importance of noting these stories cannot be overstated, as each generation has their own memories and recollections of the people who went before them, which eventually fade with the passage of time. Stories are researched and told Group discussions occurring as part of historic grave training field using the 4 W’s approach work, this photograph was taken at Glenamuckla Newmarket where Thady Collins recalled his father’s stories about civil war (who did what, where events which occurred in this area. and when) and they are recorded using affordable digital toolsets. Through field work in the local graveyards and the recording of people’s stories, an expandable oral record of the locality will be created, showcasing Duhallow’s broad heritage with online multimedia resources available for all to access.

Census and Genealogy Training In September 2019 two workshops entitled ‘Introduction to Genealogy, Local History and Heritage’ and ‘Ireland in the early 1900s – Census and History’ were hosted. Based on the premise that it is very important to know your own family tree, participants

Participants taking part in Census training held in the James O’Keeffe Institute to gain an insight into how to access such records effectively. learned of the technological advances that make it now possible to undertake research on one’s own family lineage, along with the importance of preserving artefacts for future generations. Training in searching the 1901 and 1911 censuses was also facilitated, and a great deal local history was also incorporated.

Sliabh Luachra Summer School Helping to ensure that the old traditional dance steps are not lost Bruach na Carraige Dermot Jones of Newmarket Pipe Band, who organised a Centenary Commemoration event, Rockchapel plays a central role in both points out some of the original Instruments that preserving and reviving such dances were damaged in the 1919 attack by the R.I.C for future generations to enjoy. The 2019 Sliabh Luachra Summer School managed by keen historian Jack Roche, invited Patrick O’Dea who is one of the last remaining masters of this old traditional dancing to Sliabh Luachra for a 2week advanced training programme. Patrick who is based in Roscommon learned his steps from renowned step dancer Joe O’Donovan in Cork. Members of Ceoiltoiri Sliabh Luachra participated in this workshop. Such dances are very structured and uniquely they each have their own tune. This type of traditional dancing originated in North Kerry in the 1700’s Patrick O’Dea one of the by Donnacha O’Mora and many of these tunes only masters in traditional and dances can be seen in Ceoiloiri Sliabh Luachras Irish dancing in Ireland who delivered advanced Show ‘A Musical Journey through the History of workshops in Bruach na Carraige as part of the Ireland’. Weekly seisiuns were held for the summer Sliabh Luachra Summer months in Rockchapel too with interested guests School 2019 Programme. coming from far afield to experience the homely feel of Bruach na Carraige and the variety of tunes, stories, yarns and dances all very distinctive and unique to the region.

Heritage Centres In addition to all these activities in Rockchapel, visitors to the region and locals are guaranteed a night’s entertainment in heritage centers in Freemount, Laharn, Foilagohig, and Aubane from seisiuns to cross road dancing and everything in between a real authentic experience.

Local historian Raymond O’Sullivan and musician Timmy O’Connor at a reenactment of a ‘Strawing’ as part of Scullyfest 2019.

Some of the community team who travelled to Spike Island as part of historic grave field work, included is Der Kiely, late of Cullen RIP and his sister Ann, listening to the re-enactment of a military court which would have sentenced their father Roger Kiely to internment on Spike Island.

Community Development

Covid Response As lockdown began to loom nationally with Covid 19 IRD Duhallow itself reached out to its strong network of community representatives and organisation’s across the region who were already mobilized and preparing to support those most vulnerable and in need in their communities. Rather than communities working in isolation we had a full map of supports for the entire region and could refer a request to a community group when needed. The bottom up and do it yourself approach had already been well developed for years in Duhallow with volunteers having improved their communities through programmes such as LEADER and CLAR. Communities didn’t give a second thought about jumping into gear this time round to look after their own and set an example for other communities nationwide. As a local development company we were involved at a county level in both the Cork and Kerry Covid Response Forums as well as in the town teams.

Kiskeam Postman Martin O’Leary delivers the Discover Duhallow Magazine to Bridget Buckley as part of An Posts support to Duhallow Cocooners. Discover Duhallow Community Magazine September 2019 saw the launch of our newest social enterprise ‘Discover Duhallow’ a community magazine launched in response to a local call for a forum for community news and events to be shared locally and where local rural businesses could be promoted. The magazine is designed and edited in house and relies on the contributions from our community representatives to make it the success it is today. Community news, articles on the local environment, agriculture, 88 years of age is originally from

Banteer Community Childcare successfully awarded a Dormant Accounts Small Capital Grant. and culture in the area articles on such topics from local historians are welcomed to help us preserve it for future generations. As the country went into lockdown in March 2020 we recognised the role Discover Duhallow could play in disseminating information to the wider community. Articles were written detailing the restrictions, advising on self-isolating, ppe, while also detailing all the various supports available locally especially to those

gardening, heritage and sport all make the magazine a staple read every fortnight. Issues are even posted abroad to those who are not able to access it online but like to be able to reconnect with home. With the wealth of unique heritage

Mrs. Peg (Casey) Richards who is cocooning and self-isolating.

Newmarket and lives in Colston Bassett, Nottingham. Peg looks forward to receiving the Discover Duhallow Magazine every fortnight to keep up with what’s going on in Duhallow. Mark Noonan presenting the Best in the Creative Industry Award at the 2019 IRD Duhallow Business Awards to Mary Coleman and PJ O’ Sulllivan representing Freemount Heritage Centre.

Social Enterprise Small Capital Grant Social Enterprises provide both a valuable service and employment in a rural area and Duhallow is well represented with a number of strong and broad ranging social enterprises. Under the Dormant Accounts Social Enterprise 2019 Programme IRD Duhallow administered this programme for the Department of Rural & Community Development as we are already on the ground supporting such enterprises. The scheme was an initiative under the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2018-2022 which aims to help grow and strengthen social enterprises. 4 social enterprises in the region Banteer Childcare, Rathmore SAG, The Glen Theatre and Discover Duhallow were successful with a total of €30,218 brought into the area under this fund.

Mary Wallace & Breda Kelleher of IRD Duhallow with Aghinagh Macra na Feirme Committee who organised a 5k Fun Run and Know Your Neighbour Evening as part of the Day of the Regions Co-operation Project.

Day of the Regions Co-operation Project Summer & Autumn 2019 was a busy time in Duhallow and Mid Cork with our vibrant communities taking part in this LEADER funded transnational project where they all hosted a wide variety of events. Family fun days, festivals, guided walks and historical and cultural events all featured on the impressive programme of events. The concept for The Day of The Regions is all about celebrating the uniqueness and assets of the region and building capacity within communities to make it an attractive place to visit and live in. 2020 events have unfortunately been put on hold due to Covid-19 but it is envisaged that the project will be extended to 2021 for communities to complete their planned events and we will be able to welcome our project partners from Scotland and Romania to Duhallow.

Community Development

Elections The board of IRD Duhallow has 8 seats solely for representation from local communities with 2 seats each allocated to North Eastern, South Eastern, Western Duhallow and the Mid Cork region. Representatives are elected democratically though community elections. We would like to thank Brian Kelly Rathmore for his 2 terms on the board and welcome Pat Brosnan from Gneeveguilla on his new appointment.

Niall Kelleher Chairperson of Kerry LAG with Bertie O’Leary & Kathleen O’Callaghan of Tureencahill Heritage Centre and Helen O’Sullivan IRD Duhallow at their grant signing for a LEADER grant towards the refurbishment of their centre.

Kerry Community Awards IRD Duhallow is always happy to support the Kerry Community Awards Initiative which recognises the work of the community and voluntary sector that seeks to improve the social, economic, cultural and environmental quality of life in our local communities, both urban and rural. Our communities in East Kerry have been worthy recipients of these awards over the years. The 2020 Awards are now rescheduled for the Autumn due to Covid where hopefully communities will be in a position to celebrate their achievements. Millstreet Town Park Playground before & after having receive a LEADER grant of €55,431.66 to have a state of the art playground developed. Community Projects Despite the arduous task involved in a community completing an application for LEADER Funding we have actively been working on the ground with communities supporting them through application approval and claim stage. New and Refurbished Playgrounds have been approved across the region along with upgrade works to community centers and walks. It is inspiring to see communities many experienced who we have worked with over the years look at further developing their towns and villages by developing community plans

Local kids enjoying the newly refurbished playground in Rockchapel which received LEADER funding.

which will contribute to the next local development strategy for the region. Similarly, many new volunteers have emerged eager to become part of the process to improve the quality of life for all in Duhallow. Senior Alert Scheme (SAS) IRD Duhallow are registered with Pobal to deliver the Senior Alert Scheme to householders over 66 years of age. Qualifying householders receive a free alarm or pendant which can be worn around the wrist or neck. When pressed it connects wirelessly to a base unit which is linked to your landline or mobile phone. This base unit immediately sends a call to a 24-hour monitoring centre. The equipment is supplied and installed free of charge along with one year’s free monitoring. Over 360 applications have been approved by Pobal and installation of the alarms by Tunstall Emergency Response is on-going. We continue to promote this service through the SAOI Network, Duhallow Revamp, Duhallow

Community Laundry, and DCFS.

O’Brien Street Park proved an idea setting for ‘Art in the Park’ under the guidance of local artist Jessica Baron as part of the Kanturk Mid Summer Festival and Day of the Regions project.

Friendly Phone Call Service IRD Duhallow has been providing a Friendly Phone Call Service for a number of years. During the COVID-19 lockdown this service was vital for the elderly people in the Duhallow and surrounding areas. Duhallow has one of the highest concentrations of elderly people in the country, staff and trained volunteers from IRD Duhallow called over 700 people during this time. Many of the people that were using the service were independent social people that all of a sudden, because of COVID-19, had to cocoon away and all of their independence was taken from them over night. They were not used to being confined to their homes and gardens and this led to people suffering from isolation. Many of the people using the service felt as if they were a burden on society and that they were forgotten about; social isolation and emotional isolation is associated with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline so it was very important for these people to have a friendly phone call when they needed it. Many had technological difficulties and were able to be assisted as much as possible over the phone to rectify the problems.