Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust CLHT
Carlingford & Cooley Tourism Assoc. CCTA
Carlingford Tidy Towns CTT
Carlingford Community Development CCD (The Foy Centre)
Carlingford Residents Association CRA
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With building work at a standstill, the completion of the Ghan Wall/Folly, due for delivery by the end of January has been delayed. We hope to see a resumption of works as soon as lockdown measures are lifted.
The Town & Village renewal funding allocated to the upgrading of the public toilets in Carlingford will allow for a refurbishment of the existing facility with the addition of a fold-down changing area. Any further improvements will be given consideration under the Rural Regeneration Fund. The appointment of the Consultant to this project will be made soon.
Members have attended a conference & follow up workshop delivered by Fáilte Ireland to announce measures to aid tourism recovery post lockdown. Providers & others can access this information on the Fáilte Ireland website
https://www.failteireland.ie/Identify-Available-Funding/Tourism-Business-Continuity-Scheme.aspx.
Keep safe!
Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust
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Carlingford Heritage Centre Spring Zoom Events Series
Judging by the huge response to our talk by member, Séamus Murphy, titled “100 Things to see in the Cooley Mountains,” we will be inundated with walkers from all over the country next summer when we can finally leave our armchair activity and head for the hills. We have had full houses of 100 viewers on the 3 occasions Séamus has given the talks which demonstrates the power of zoom and social media to connect with a wide audience.
And now for some other interesting talks on the heritage of our fascinating peninsula.
Did you know that Ravensdale was the 4th largest producer of linen in Ireland in the 18th century? Local historian and writer, Don Johnson, will tell us stories of the prominent families who established numerous mills in the area powered by the waters of the Flurry River. He will show how they developed a thriving linen industry and built large houses and estates and how remnants of their wealth and the industry are still evident in the landscape of Ravensdale.
Join us on zoom for this interesting talk “Ravensdale and Linen” on Monday 22nd March at 7.30 pm.
And for tales nautical…
Member, Richard Lewis, known for putting bikes on the Greenway with his Bike Hire Business, ‘OnYerBike‘, has been busy with his own Lockdown History Mission, discovering the story behind the large concrete boat moored in Carlingford Marina known as the Cretegaffe. A unique tug built out of concrete, it is one of 6 sister ships built around 1919 in Shoreham on Sea on Sussex. In 1937 she was bought by Irish Oil and Cake Company to be used for grain storage and was rechristened the Lady Boyne. Richard will introduce us to her past and her journey to Carlingford where she now rests up and will probably attract many visitors as a result of Richard renewing public interest in her story.
Join us for Richard’s story of ‘the Cretegaffe’ on zoom Monday 29th March at 7.30 pm
Details of the zoom link will be posted on Facebook and our website nearer to the dates.
www.carlingfordheritagecentre.com
Please see below the link to the new video of Carlingford Castle.
https://www.facebook.com/NationalMons/videos/445188373350691
Music Events
It is now planned to hold the Spring Series of Concerts as an Autumn Series in September/October if restrictions allow. This series is devised by Zoe Conway and John Mc Intyre our Artistic Directors in collaboration with our member, Gerry McAlinden and is made possible with the support of Create Louth.
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Station House Remote Hub due to open summer 2021.We are developing a new service for the community which we think will be of great benefit to people tired of commuting or working alone from their kitchen tables. In the Station House Hub, you can enjoy a pleasant open-plan environment with a comfortable workspace, reliable Broadband and the opportunity to meet others. Remote hub working is proving popular in small towns throughout the country as people recognise the value of having a workspace near but separate to where they live while companies recognise that allowing people to work closer to where live leads to happier employees.
The Hub will suit:
We offer
Plus, The Heritage Centre as a venue for large meetings/training/ workshop and exhibition events
Interested? Or do you know others who may be? For further information and to discuss options, call Linda Stevens Community Heritage Manager
Tel: 086 8242514
Email:community@carlingfordheritagecentre.com
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Sometimes the gallowglasses did a bit of freelancing abroad; this group was drawn by the German artist Albrecht Durer in Vienna around 1530.
People in Ireland adopted hereditary surnames a thousand years ago; we were among the first people in Europe to do so. That allows us to identify one component of our population with particular significance in greater Cooley; the gallowglasses.
In the late 12th century the Irish found themselves unable to withstand the invading Normans with their archers and heavy cavalry with armoured knights. In the following century they turned to Scotland for help: specifically, to the Norsemen who had settled in the Western Isles, turned Christian and adopted Gaelic culture and names. The first group, from the Clan Mac Dougal, came in 1259 as the dowry of a Scottish princess and the Irish called them “Gallóglaigh” (foreign soldiers). The gallowglasses were heavy infantry clad in helmet and chainmail who fought with a long two-handed battle axe or a heavy broadsword known as a claymore (clíamh mór). They were well fit for the Norman/English and they were to be a fixture on the Irish battlefield for the next four hundred years, settling in large numbers, particularly in Ulster.
The Clan Mac Dougal became McDougal or McDowell or just Doyle. Most numerous were the Campbells, McDonnells, Sweeneys, Gallaghers, Mccoys and McCabes, followed by the Boyles, McQuillans, McConnells, McGills, Agnews, McCallion and MacNeill. More or less all surnames beginning with “McIl..” or “McEl..” are gallowglass. Most obvious of all is Gallogly, known around Newry and Camlough. One gallowglass clan, the McAllisters, were more or less rounded up and dumped in Omeath during the Elizabethan regime and others sought refuge in Cooley following the Plantation of Ulster.
Submitted by Séamus Murphy, Committee Member.
“This project is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal through the Community Services Programme”.
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We welcome the appearance of Spring bulbs and look forward to seeing the many Tulips we planted last Autumn flower in the coming weeks. 
Currently, we are working on adding fruit bushes and flowers to The Nature Garden near the Harbour.
We have ordered Flowers (perennial planting) and will plant around the Tennis Courts when these arrive. Soon after we will plant more flowers on the Village Green and The Folly.
We have re-applied for funding for 3 Picnic tables like the ones on the Village Green. Two previous attempts at funding were unsuccessful.
There has been multiple complaints about dog foul on pavements. Thank you to all responsible dog owners. Please do
There has been many reports of illegal dumping and dumping household waste in Town bins. If you notice illegal dumping you can report it to Louth County Council on 1890202303 or 0429335457.
There has been a lot of roadside litter of late. The Greenore road was recent litter picked and 3 weeks later there is more roadside litter. Please do ‘Leave no Trace’ by taking litter home. If the bin is clearly full, please use a different bin. This will really help as it’s difficult to ask volunteers to do clean up during Level 5 restrictions.
Are you interested in planting Native Irish saplings in your garden or in your housing estate? Please get in touch as we will be getting saplings for National Tree Week in March. Contact our Facebook page or Tel 0429373686.
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