Exhibition, book launch and walk for National Heritage Week in Carndonagh
The Colgan Heritage Committee is hosting a number of events in the town on August 12 and 13
The Colgan Heritage Committee in Carndonagh will be hosting a number of events in the town for National Heritage Week, which takes place from August 12 to 20.
More than 70 events are taking place around Donegal county based on the theme of exploring traditional skills and practices down through the decades
In Carndonagh, there will be a two-day exhibition on Saturday, August from 12 to 7 pm and Sunday, August 13 from 1pm to 6pm. The theme is Carndonagh over the decades. The community has loaned objects which reflect the town’s diverse history: a market town, shirt factories, industrial alcohol factory, schools, military and police, garages, entertainment centre and commerce. Members of the Colgan Heritage Committee will be available in the Colgan Hall on Wednesday, August 9 from 10 am to 5 pm to accept and record any artefacts which the local community would like to display in the exhibition
Book launch
On Saturday, August 12 at 6.30pm there will be the launch of a new book: Everything to help the Lame Dog over the Ditch, the Forgotten Language of the Inishowen Peninsula.
In the foreword, Hugh Farren, on behalf of the publishers, the Colgan Heritage Committee, describes the book as “the rich tapestry of language used by past generations”.
Superb drawings from local artists illustrate some of the old sayings. The launch is at 6.30pm in the Colgan Hall and the book is on sale at €8. The launch will be followed by a reception.
Dessie’s walks and maps talk
On Sunday, August 13 the exhibition continues in the afternoon. As a sidelight, Dessie McCallion, well-known heritage guide, will lead a tour visiting some historic sites outside the town. A bus will be provided at 10 am departing from the Colgan Hall at the start of the tour, which will involve a walking segment. The tour will take 2 hours and visitors will be entertained to tea afterwards in the hall at midday. A talk on old maps will follow on the return in the hall.
All events suit families. There is wheelchair access to the exhibition, launch and talk and free car parking. The Colgan Heritage Committee welcomes everyone to celebrate the area’s local heritage.