Study Visit to Donegal 28 & 29 November 202.The first visit of the PEACEPLUS Cross Border Heritage Project took place in Donegal with 15 participants each from Mid Ulster, Donegal and Monaghan – 45 participants in total took part in networking to share their projects.
Dr Brian Lacey
Irish archaeologist and historian specialises in the early medieval period (AD 500-1200) in northwest Ireland, particularly Counties Donegal and Derry. He has special expertise in Saint Colmcille, which he has studied for over 50 years.
Dr Lacey gave a talk on the emergence of the principal surnames in medieval Ulster, especially because most of those have a Donegal connection/origin.
13 November 2025: Some of the participants who will take part in the PEACEPLUS Cross Border Heritage Project met today in Ranfurly House at the launch of the project. The project will last for 3 years and include participants from Mid Ulster, Donegal and Donegal to explore the shared heritage of the O’Neils and ancient clans.
13 November 2025: Delighted to launch the PEACEPLUS Cross Border Heritage Project today in Ranfurly House with the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council Cllr. Francis Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster PEACEPLUS Partnership John McNamee with Programme Manager Heather McLaughlin, The Rural Centre who will manage the 3 year project.
Find out more:
https://www.theruralcentre.eu/peaceplus-cross-border…/
Ancient Clans – The Donegal Connection!
Exploring The O’Neills and Ancient Clans
Join us in Letterkenny, Donegal 28 & 29 November 2025 for a special event celebrating The O’Neill’s and Ancient Clans and to explore our shared heritage. The Donegal gathering will strengthen links between participants, through networking and visits to strategic clan sites.
The visit is open to 15 participants each from Mid Ulster, Donegal, and Monaghan with an interest in ancient clan history and heritage.
There is no cost to participants as the programme is funded under PEACEPLUS through Mid Ulster District Council and managed by The Rural Centre.
🗓 Event Dates
Letterkenny, Donegal – Friday 28 & Saturday 29 November 2025
Friday 28 November – Letterkenny
14:30 Meet at the hotel Letterkenny (TBC). Participants travel independently.
15:00 – 18:00
Overview of the Ancient Clans programme and website.
Participants Showcase & Networking event
19:00 – 21:00 Dinner and Talk
The Battles of Letterkenny
Farsetmore 1567, Glenmaquin 1642, Scarrifsholis 1650
Clans: Including O’Neill, O’Donnell, O’Reilly, O’Cahan, O’Gallagher, O’Boyle, O’Friel, MacMahon, MacSweeney, McGinleys, Magennis
Saturday 29 November – Rathmullen & Letterkenny
09:00 – 13:00 Rathmullen
Walking Tour “The Flight of the Earls”
Explore The Kidnap of Red Hugh, The Abbey, and Flight of the Earls
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Letterkenny
Site visit The Battle of Farsetmore (1567)
A significant conflict between the O’Neill and O’Donnell clans, pivotal in the struggle for Ulster’s dominance.
17:00 Return to Letterkenny and participants departure
Event Highlights
Participants showcase & Networking event
Talk on the Battles of Letterkenny: Farsetmore, Glenmaquin and Scarrifsholis
Rathmullen Walking Tour “The Flight of the Earls”
Site Visit Battle of Scarrifholis
How to Register
Places are limited to 15 participants per area (Donegal, Monaghan, Mid Ulster)
📧 Email: heather@theruralcentre.co.uk
🌐 Or complete the online Application Form
Secure your place and be part of this unique journey into our shared Irish heritage!
PEACEPLUS Cross Border Heritage Programme
The Cross Border Heritage Programme is a 3 year programme (October 2025 – October 2028) funded under PEACEPLUS through Mid Ulster District Council and managed by The Rural Centre.
The programme will include 15 participants each from Mid Ulster, Donegal and Monaghan interested in coming together to share our rich history, heritage and culture.
‘The PEACEPLUS Cross Border Heritage Programme is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
’
The Programme received almost £70,000 to develop a greater understanding of our shared linkages through the O’Neill and Ancient Clans heritage.
The aim of the programme is:
Advance greater linkages between groups through shared heritage.
Research strategic Ancient Clans sites.
Develop the Ancient Clans website https://ancientclans.org
Create awareness of and sensitivity to the protection and promotion of our shared heritage
Shared learning on our heritage protection and sensitive development of our heritage sites.
Build friendships through cross-border and cross community peace building initiative.
During the 3 year programme each participant commits to engage in a minimum of 12 hours contact time though a selection of the following:
Online/ face to face workshops
Donegal Visit
Monaghan Visit
Three Mid Ulster Heritage weekends
The Heritage weekends will bring people together over 2 days (10 – 12 hours) held at Hill of The O’Neill with visits to heritage sites as part of the O’Neill trail, workshops, and reenactments.
This programme is funded under PEACEPLUS though Mid Ulster District Council with no cost to the participant.
PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration. PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes.
The Cross Border Heritage Programme will focus on the shared heritage of The O’Neill and Clans of Ancient Ulster. The aim is to support participants knowledge and to build friendships through cross-border, cross community and peace-building initiatives to enable participants to contribute to a prosperous and peaceful society. The Cross Border Heritage Programme will strengthen the sustainable links formed in the previous PEACE IV funded cross border heritage programme and further develop the Ancient Clan website which aims to share heritage sites to encourage people to visit and understand our rich shared history, heritage and culture.
For more information email Heather McLaughlin: heather@theruralcentre.co.uk
ANNAUL CELEBRATION OF ST TIERNACH 4 APRIL 2025 CLONES
The Annual Celebration of St. Tigernach, Patron Saint of Clones and Bishop of Clogher will take place in St. Tigernach’s Church of Ireland, the Diamond, Clones on Friday 4th April at 7pm.
Our guest speaker for the evening will be Fr. Brian D’Arcy, Rector of St. Gabrie’ls Retreat in the Grann, Enniskillen. The event will be enriched with musical performances by the Different Keys Choir and the Graham Memorial Pipe Band.
The celebration will include a Bagpipe and Monk led procession to St. Tigernach’s Sarcophagus in the Round Tower Graveyard, followed by refreshments at the Cassandra Hand Folk and Famine Centre.
Clones Community Forum are also excited to be involved in a Cross Border Project with Clogher Village Forum called “Clones to Clogher Community Connections” where throughout 2025 as a group, through a series of workshops, we will be examining the 1693 Map of the area on Sliabh Beagh showing an outline route between Clones and Clogher where Early Christian way-markers exist. We welcome any and all participation from the local community. The outcome is to gather evidence and produce a modern map of the 17 mile ancient Pilgrim Route that will become part of St. Tigernach’s Way.
This is a Cross Border, Cross Community, Interdenominational Annual Event, and we believe it would be a wonderful opportunity for you to come along and join in commemorating the rich history of our joint regions.
We look forward to your presence at this Annual Event. Please share with family and friends for an informative and enjoyable evening.
Wear suitable clothing for the procession in case of inclement weather.
If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact via phone on 0868358210 or email clonescommunityforum@gmail.com
SUCCESSFUL ROSE SHAiW EXHIBITION, CORICK HOUSE, CLOGHER 27 February 2025
It was wonderful to have over 150 people attend the exhibition of Rose Shaw photographs in Corick House Hotel last night. Many descendants of the people that featured in Rose Shaw’s photographs shared interesting details about their family and where they lived. Clogher Forum will capture all these stories of the people Rose Shaw clearly enjoyed.
Thank you for the funding support of Mid Ulster District Council and Irish Government’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund
The exhibition will remain in Corick House until Wednesday 5 March 2025 then move to Fivemiletown Library from the 12 March 2025.
Member os Clogher Forum with Mayor Eugene McConnell, Mid Ulster District Counci
Martin Boyd, Chair of Clogher Community Village Forum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dms9mr4DVk
ROSE SHAW EXHIBITION, CORICK HOUSE, CLOGHER 27 February 2025 7pm
Rose Shaw came to the Clogher Valley, County Tyrone in 1905 as a governess to the Gledstanes who lived at Fardross, near Clogher. She was in her late teens, early twenties and in her spare time was an amateur photographer capturing local people in every day activities.
Rose developed her photos at Fardross in a windowless room off the dining room where the Gledstanes kept their silver.
Her photographs include a girl with a creel for collecting turf, people gathering sheaves of oats, smoking pipes, playing fiddles and melodeons, children walking to school barefoot, women clad in the traditional dress working in the fields.
Rose published Carleton’s Country 1930, which had an introduction by Sir Shane Leslie and included many of her own photographs. Only about thirty of her photographs have survived and these are in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, County Down.
Clogher Community Village Forum have been granted permission by National Museums NI to print the Rose Shaw collection of photographs.
An exhibition of Rose Shaw Photographs will take place
Thursday 27 February 2025 at 7pm
Corick House, 20 Corick Rd, Clogher BT76 0BZ
Come along and help to identify the people in the photographs to share their local story.
Clogher Community Village Forum
cloghercvf@hotmail.com
The Annual Celebration of St. Tigernach, Patron Saint of Clones and Bishop of Clogher will take place in St. Tigernach’s Church of Ireland, the Diamond, Clones on Friday 4th April at 7pm.
Our guest speaker for the evening will be Fr. Brian D’Arcy, Rector of St. Gabrie’ls Retreat in the Grann, Enniskillen. The event will be enriched with musical performances by the Different Keys Choir and the Graham Memorial Pipe Band.
The celebration will include a Bagpipe and Monk led procession to St. Tigernach’s Sarcophagus in the Round Tower Graveyard, followed by refreshments at the Cassandra Hand Folk and Famine Centre.
Clones Community Forum are also excited to be involved in a Cross Border Project with Clogher Village Forum called “Clones to Clogher Community Connections” where throughout 2025 as a group, through a series of workshops, we will be examining the 1693 Map of the area on Sliabh Beagh showing an outline route between Clones and Clogher where Early Christian way-markers exist. We welcome any and all participation from the local community. The outcome is to gather evidence and produce a modern map of the 17 mile ancient Pilgrim Route that will become part of St. Tigernach’s Way.
Spanish Armada Re-enactment walk of crew of La Duquesa Santa Ana – 18th August 2024
The different elements of our Heritage Week ‘Spanish Armada in Donegal’ commemorate the cultural and historic links between Ireland and Spain. Re-enactment walk tracing the route of the survivors of La Duquesa Santa Ana from Rosbeg to Killybegs and the hoped for escape on La Girona anchored in Killybegs. By telling the stories of La Duquesa Santa Ana and La Girona we are keeping the connections between Spain and Ireland very much alive. Two Footprint memorial stones perhaps tell us all: one at Rosbeg Pier citing ‘the first steps on Donegal soil of the survivors of La Duquesa Santa Ana’ and the second at St. Catherine’s Well, Killybegs citing ‘the last steps on Irish soil of the survivors of La Duquesa Santa Ana and La Girona’. La Girona sank off Lacada Point Co. Antrim on the 28th October with the loss of 1,300 men, making it one of the costliest losses of life for a shipwreck in the history of seafaring.
We will explore the social, human, military and maritime history of the late 16th century and the fate of two of at least twenty-six Spanish Armada ships wrecked off the Atlantic coast of Ireland between September and October 1588. Five hundred years ago there were no roads, no bridges and virtually no towns in this part of Donegal making the landscape and environment very different from today. The 16th century style military encampment by Oireas Historic Services, with live demonstrations and hands-on experiences will create an atmosphere worth witnessing.
This year’s event builds on the group’s two previous Spanish Armada commemorative walks (2018 & 2019) which were scheduled to be annual events until the pandemic stopped everything. We will explore the story of the history and heritage of the Spanish Armada, Hiberno-Spanish connections, and the rich maritime and natural history of this part of the coast of south-west Donegal. This story is one of Connections, Routes and Networks, from the route of the Armada from Spain to England and its unintended appearance off the Irish coast and the tragedies that befell at least 26 ships. After the battle of Gravelines on the 8th August, the Spanish fleet, were given instructions to sail home by heading up the east coast of England, around the north of Scotland and Ireland and to stand well out into the Atlantic and to “Take heed lest you fall upon the Island of Ireland for fear of the harm that may happen to you upon that coast”….. The network of communications established with Gaelic clans saved the lives of the crew of La Duquesa Santa Ana. The communications between the English forces in Ireland lead to the capture, slaughter and massacre of others.
Route will be along track and minor roads. A series of Spanish Armada display panels will provide an extra dimension to the day. An inter-generational event. Parts of the route are family friendly, especially Sheskinmore. The historic encampment crew will show children and adults what life was like over 400 years ago.
For information and bookings:
Donegal G.A.P. Heritage and History Group
ardaraheritagehistory@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/DonegalGAPHeritage
Ancient fort ‘used by Hugh O’Neill as hideout’ discovered in dried-up swamp
QUB experts to begin survey of crannog found near Moneymore
Archaeologists from Queen’s University are to carry out a survey of what is believed to be an ancient fort in Co Londonderry.
The remains of the man-made island dwelling, known as a crannog, emerged after a swamp in Maghadone, near Moneymore, dried out following a drought.
This fort may have been used by Hugh O’Neill, the last of the O’Neill chieftains, as a hiding place before the Flight of the Earls more than 400 years ago. The stones were found near the home of Sean Corey, the chairman of the Loup Historical Society.
He’d grown up hearing rumours of a hidden medieval structure, but no one was able to access it because the land was too wet. He added: “Sean spent three weeks clearing the site to release it from dense undergrowth.”
Mr Corey said: “Once I saw the curve of stones, I knew we had something there. We found a complete wall, four or five feet in height and 90 feet in diameter. It’s very exciting.”
Ancient Clans getting promotion on Radio Ulster ‘Your Place and Mine”
Heather McLaughlin was interviewed by Anne Marie McAleese on Radio Ulster ‘Your place and mine’ and explained how the project came about as a Peace IV project between Mid Ulster District Council and Donegal County Council and setting up Heritage Forum in each area.
The Ancient Clan website captures many of the heritage sites visited by the groups during the two year project.
Forum members contributed photographs of heritage sites and even produced some short videos to promote the sites. The radio interview included excerpts from the Battle of Benburb and The Bard of Armagh videos.
Mind The Lane:
Return to Gows-Hill
Lovely to be reminded of some familiar Ulster Scots words and phrases.
As a tribute to their late father Stanley Elliott sisters Beth Acheson and Heather McIvor produced a booklet to commemorate the words and phrases he used throughout his life that we now recognise as Ulster-Scots. the video also includes a visit to the Bard of Armagh grave in Desertcreat. This video was recorded for an Ulster-Scots programme.
View latest video history talks produced by Hill of O’Neill & Ranfurly House in celebration of their 10th anniversary.
Dr. Hiram Morgan, University College Cork, speaks about Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone.
Dr Jim O’Neill presents an analysis of the Nine Years’ War (1594 – 1603).
Dr. Mary Katharine Simms, Fellow Emeritus (History), Trinity College Dublin, describes the history of Dungannon.
Dr. Colm Donnelly, Director of the Centre for Community Archaeology at QUB, the “Time Team” excavation of Hill of The O’Neill in 2007.
Videos
Donegal: Official launch of the Ancient Clans website and The Battle of Benburb Film Donegal Castle
The official launch of the Ancient Clan website and The Battle of Benburb Film took place in Donegal Castle with opening welcome by Michael Naughton- Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.
This website has been developed through contributions from Donegal and Mid Ulster heritage Forum whose members have been involved in workshops and site visits over the 2 years of this cross border programme.
This exciting initiative is supported by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme and managed by the SEUPB. This project was awarded €140,000 under the thematic approach Building Positive Relationships element delivering an action plan based upon a Peace IV Cross Border Shared Community Heritage Programme.
The Website heralds the beginning of new and meaningful relationships both across Mid Ulster and Donegal Forums but as is evident with the increasing interest shown across the Island as a whole allowing heritage to be protected and promoted from all community perspectives through this very beneficial and timely resource.
Mid Ulster District Council and Donegal County
Chathaoirleach, and Council Councillors from Mid Ulster and Donegal County Council, PEACE officers and representatives attending the launch of the Ancient Clan website and The Battle of Benburb Film
Donegal: Introduction to The Battle of Benburb by Dr Pádraig Lenihan,
National University of Ireland in Galway
Dr Pádraig Lenihan, NUIG acted as the historical expert to guide the making of The Battle of Benburb Film, providing the details of the battle and the script for the voiceover. Dr Lenihan was unable to attend the event personally at Donegal Castle but recorded an introduction before the film was shown to the audience at the launch.
Dr Lenihan both enjoyed and learned from being involved in the project the professional and the skills which made this film such a success.
1646 is a ling time ago but it is important to remember as a human tragedy where over 3000 men lay dead or dying on the battle field. Benburb mattered because the Scottish Covenant army attached the Confederate Catholic regime but were stopped in this battle won by Owen Roe O’Neil. There is something heroic about the Ulster army who stood, fought and won which is loved back on as a period of courage.
Donegal: Showing of Ancient Clan website and The Battle of Benburb Film
A demonstration of the website was given by David Bell, a Mid Ulster Forum member, followed by a showing of The Battle of Benburb Film.
Mid Ulster: Official launch of the Ancient Clans website and The Battle of Benburb Film Benburb Castle
Councillor Cora Corry, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council officially launched the Ancient Clan website and the Battle of Benburb Film in Benburb Priory. Councillor Cora highlighted that to know where we are going, we need to know where we’ve come from, and this brand new website certainly gives anyone interested a great insight into the rich heritage of the ancient clans shared between Donegal and Tyrone.
With thanks to funding through Council’s Good Relations service from the PEACE four cross border shared heritage project, and not to mention the hard work of all those involved, this fantastic online resource beautifully and comprehensively illustrates the shared heritage of the O’Neill and other ancient clans and the Plantation of Ulster. The images, information and interactive map will encourage residents and visitors alike to find out more about where and how their ancestors lived, and the web of connections between the two counties.
The History Heritage Forum members involved in the project have worked extremely hard to ensure this legacy was developed, and in addition have formed groups linked to ancient clan names. In doing so, they are sharing their history, genealogy and culture locally and across the world. These digital resources have truly put this history and heritage on the map for generations to come!
Professor Gerry McKenna, Chair of the Library & Museum Management Board welcomed the Mid Ulster and Donegal Heritage Forum and other guests to Benburb Priory and added to the significance of promoting our heritage sites to protect them and share their history from all community perspectives.
A demonstration of the website was given by Heather McLaughlin, Ancient Clans project coordinator followed by a showing of The Battle of Benburb Film.
Introduction to The Battle of Benburb by Dr Pádraig Lenihan,
National University of Ireland in Galway
Dr Pádraig Lenihan, NUIG acted as the historical expert to guide the making of The Battle of Benburb Film, providing the details of the battle and the script for the voiceover. Dr Lenihan was unable to attend the event personally so provided a recorded introduction before the film was shown to the audience at the launch.
He explained how proud he was to be associated with the making of the film, the authenticity and the power of the project. He emphasised the importance of making people aware of a battle in which 3000 were killed in one evening in June 1646. It is part of a struggle between native and newcomer, settler and native.
The legacy of this and following wars is not to forget the past but deal and engage honestly and respectfully with the past. The Benburb event is important because it ensured the survival of the Confederate Catholics. Owen Roe O’Neil the winner at Benburb is an important story but so is the story of Monroe and paying due respect to both traditions.
The Making of the Battle of Benburb
One of the main components of this cross border heritage program between Mid Ulster and Donegal is to raise awareness of the invaluable heritage sites in each area and to promote them to to increase awareness and access from wider communities at these shared space sites. As part of this Mid Ulster District Council supported the production of a short film re-enacting which took place in Benburb on the 4th June 1646. The production was filmed at Benburb Priory.
The Battle of Benburb took place during the Irish Confederate Wars, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It was fought between the Irish Confederation under Owen Roe O’Neill, and a Scottish Covenanter and Anglo-Irish army under Robert Monro. The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Irish Confederates and ended Scottish hopes of conquering Ireland and imposing their own religious settlement there.
Tomás O’Brogan, Oireashs, living history re-enactors, Cathal Hegarty, Benburb Productions, Film maker.
The script for the film and voice over was provided by historial expert Dr Padraig Lenin, National University of Ireland in Galway.
Viewing of The Battle of Benburb Film
Following the official launch of the Ancient Clan website the audience views The Battle of Benburb Film for this first time. The film, is a short 12min film which the main details of the battle with living history actors portraying battle, marching and encampment scenes.
EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
Mid Ulster
From 10th – 11th September properties across Mid Ulster will open their doors for free as part of European Heritage Open Days, an annual celebration of local architecture, history and culture. Over 20 properties will offer free entry across the weekend, with many also enhancing the visitor experience with living history tours.
The open days are a once-a-year opportunity for curious families, architect lovers, and heritage enthusiasts to explore buildings and exclusive sites that are rarely open to the public.
Details on how to book for individual events in the Mid Ulster area can be found on the Visit Mid Ulster website.
